Used car guide

2013 Renault Grand Scenic: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Renault Grand Scenics, from 477 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 477 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

477MOT tests in 2025
52%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
8,200typical miles a year
5.2×the usual rate for anti-roll bar link joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Renault Grand Scenics than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints5.2× usual
    Renault Grand Scenic
    11.5% All 2013 cars
    2.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 0.8% of all 2013 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.

  • Coil springs2× usual
    Renault Grand Scenic
    17.2% All 2013 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 12.8%, against 4% of all 2013 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.

  • Brake pads1.8× usual
    Renault Grand Scenic
    17.8% All 2013 cars
    9.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 2.3% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Brake lights2.9× usual
    Renault Grand Scenic
    10.3% All 2013 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9%, against 2.8% of all 2013 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.

  • Individual direction indicators3.9× usual
    Renault Grand Scenic
    7.1% All 2013 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.7% of all 2013 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.

By area

The share of 2013 Renault Grand Scenic MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    45% 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
    39% 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.

  • Brakes
    38% 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
    37% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    5% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2020271Tyres 30%
2019903Tyres 33%
2018649Tyres 34%
20171,097Tyres 35%
20161,307Suspension 34%
20151,368Suspension 36%
2014848Suspension 41%
20121,370Suspension 51%
20113,106Suspension 54%
20103,422Suspension 53%
2009977Suspension 51%
2008777Suspension 54%
2007735Suspension 58%
2006444Lights and electrics 52%
2005305Suspension 59%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 Renault Grand Scenics registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score