Used car guide

2003 Renault Megane diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Renault Megane first registered in 2003 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 297 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 297 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

297MOTs of 2003 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
54%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 57%)
5,400typical miles a year
4.9×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Renault Megane diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Renault Megane diesel than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Steering rack inner joints4.9× usual
    Renault Megane
    16.8% All 2003 cars
    3.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2× usual
    Renault Megane
    14.8% All 2003 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 2.9% of all 2003 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.

Common 2003 Renault Megane diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Renault Megane diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    54% 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
    49% 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
    43% 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.

  • Tyres
    30% 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.

  • Steering
    20% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    17% 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 2003 Renault Megane 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 steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.9× as often on the 2003 Renault Megane diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2003 Renault Megane diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Renault Megane?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Renault Megane compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023107Tyres 21%
20221,316Tyres 28%
20211,549Tyres 25%
20203,197Tyres 27%
20197,486Tyres 30%
20185,846Tyres 33%
201714,157Tyres 35%
201614,443Tyres 33%
201519,249Suspension 42%
201420,994Suspension 48%
201321,314Suspension 47%
201226,144Suspension 50%
201137,917Suspension 51%
201045,802Suspension 52%
200925,570Suspension 53%
200816,025Lights and electrics 52%
200717,266Lights and electrics 53%
200610,400Lights and electrics 55%
20056,462Brakes 50%
20043,295Brakes 49%
20024,388Lights and electrics 43%
20012,839Lights and electrics 41%
20001,156Lights and electrics 43%
1999363Lights and electrics 37%
1998216Brakes 39%
1997127Brakes 41%
1996–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 Megane cars first registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score