Used car guide · 1996–2026

Renault Megane common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Renault Megane, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 309,972 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1996 Renault Megane

Too few Renault Megane cars first registered in 1996 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Renault Megane as a whole.

201on the UK register at the end of 2025
Dieselmost common fuel (also electric)
What to check on a 1996 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2026202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996

What usually goes wrong with a Renault Megane?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

Common Renault Megane MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Ball joint

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015 and 2018.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Brake discs

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 8.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Headlights

    up to 3.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

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

  • Steering rack inner joints

    up to 8.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

    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.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 3.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

Diesel

  • Brake discs

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Ball joint

    up to 5.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2018 and 2019.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 10.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Headlights

    up to 7.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

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

  • Track rod ends

    up to 4.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

  • Brake lights

    up to 4.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

Electric

  • Track rod ends

    up to 38× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2022.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

  • Wheels

    up to 7.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2022.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

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

Renault Megane MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2021 Renault Megane did best (84% passed first time, 3 points below all 2021 cars) and the 2014 did worst (53%, 17 points below all 2014 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202384%92% -8107 (small sample)
202283%89% -61,316
202184%87% -31,549
202081%87% -63,197
201978%85% -77,486
201877%83% -65,846
201773%80% -714,157
201669%77% -814,443
201560%74% -1419,249
201453%70% -1720,994
201353%67% -1421,314
201252%64% -1226,144
201150%62% -1237,917
201049%60% -1145,802
200948%59% -1125,570
200849%57% -816,025
200748%57% -917,266
200647%56% -910,400
200550%57% -76,462
200450%57% -73,295
200354%57% -32,344
200257%58% -14,388
200156%60% -42,839
200056%61% -51,156
199954%63% -9363 (small sample)
199863%65% -2216 (small sample)
199759%65% -6127 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Renault Megane

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

  1. When was the timing belt last changed, and is there an invoice?
  2. How often does it need oil between services, and has there been any engine work?
  3. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the Renault Megane as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the Renault Megane as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 31.5× as often on the Renault Megane as on other cars the same age.)
  6. 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score