2010 Renault Laguna diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2010 Renault Laguna diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2010 Renault Laguna diesel than on all cars registered in 2010.

• Coil springs1.8× usual
  Renault Laguna

  18.6% All 2010 cars

  10.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 12.5%, against 4.3% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.8× usual
  Renault Laguna

  12.5% All 2010 cars

  4.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 2.2% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Rigid brake pipes2× usual
  Renault Laguna

  13.2% All 2010 cars

  6.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.1% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Headlights2× usual
  Renault Laguna

  11.2% All 2010 cars

  5.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 3.4% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Sidelights1.8× usual
  Renault Laguna

  11.3% All 2010 cars

  6.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.8%, against 5.7% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2010 Renault Laguna diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2010 Renault Laguna diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  48% 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
  43% 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.

• 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.

• Tyres
  37% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  13% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2010 Renault Laguna diesel

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

1. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2010 Renault Laguna diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2010 Renault Laguna diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2010 Renault Laguna diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?