Used car guide

1998 Renault Laguna: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Renault Laguna first registered in 1998: we looked at the 104 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 104 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

104MOTs of 1998 cars, done in 2023–2025
57%pass first time (all 1998 cars: 65%)
3,400typical miles a year
38%had lights and electrics flagged

Common 1998 Renault Laguna MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1998 Renault Laguna MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    38% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Suspension
    35% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    34% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    28% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    24% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    16% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1998 Renault Laguna

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Renault Laguna?

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Other years

Every year of the Renault Laguna compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2012775Suspension 43%
20114,316Suspension 45%
20105,018Suspension 48%
20093,558Suspension 48%
20085,891Suspension 50%
20072,713Suspension 55%
20061,392Suspension 54%
20051,132Suspension 53%
20041,168Suspension 55%
2003831Suspension 55%
2002506Suspension 51%
2001177Suspension 50%
2000302Suspension 49%
1999169Suspension 44%
1997–Too few tests
1996–Too few tests
1995–Too few tests
1994–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Renault Laguna cars first registered in 1998. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score