Used car guide

2012 Renault Grand Scenic: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Renault Grand Scenics, from 1,370 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,370MOT tests in 2025
50%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
8,000typical miles a year
3.2×the usual rate for track rod ends

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Renault Grand Scenics than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Track rod ends3.2× usual
    Renault Grand Scenic
    15.9% All 2012 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.1%, against 2.4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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 lights3.1× usual
    Renault Grand Scenic
    11.6% All 2012 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.2%, against 3% of all 2012 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.

  • Coil springs1.8× usual
    Renault Grand Scenic
    17.5% All 2012 cars
    9.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.8%, against 4% of all 2012 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints3.3× usual
    Renault Grand Scenic
    10.7% All 2012 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

  • Ball joint2.2× usual
    Renault Grand Scenic
    12.1% All 2012 cars
    5.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 3% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

Better than most

Exhaust system: 2.6% here, against 5.5% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Renault Grand Scenic MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    51% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    43% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    39% 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
    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.

  • 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.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    5% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Looking at a Renault Grand Scenic?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2019903Tyres 33%
2018649Tyres 34%
20171,097Tyres 35%
20161,307Suspension 34%
20151,368Suspension 36%
2014848Suspension 41%
20113,106Suspension 54%
20103,422Suspension 53%
2009977Suspension 51%
2008777Suspension 54%
2007735Suspension 58%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Renault Grand Scenics registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score