Used car guide

2016 Renault Kadjar: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Renault Kadjars, from 18,963 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

18,963MOT tests in 2025

67%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)

7,900typical miles a year

5.6×the usual rate for ball joint dust cover

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Renault Kadjars than on all cars registered in 2016.

Ball joint dust cover5.6× usual

Renault Kadjar
9.5% All 2016 cars
1.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.6% of all 2016 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.
Brake pads1.6× usual

Renault Kadjar
16.3% All 2016 cars
10.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 2.1% of all 2016 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.
Ball joint3.1× usual

Renault Kadjar
8.6% All 2016 cars
2.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 1.5% of all 2016 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.
Track rod ends2.8× usual

Renault Kadjar
8.7% All 2016 cars
3.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.5% of all 2016 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.
Headlights2.9× usual

Renault Kadjar
5% All 2016 cars
1.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 1.4% of all 2016 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.

By area

The share of 2016 Renault Kadjar MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

35% 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

34% 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

26% 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

16% 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

6% 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

4% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Looking at a Renault Kadjar?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2022	679	Tyres 20%
2021	1,539	Tyres 27%
2020	7,986	Tyres 38%
2019	11,751	Tyres 36%
2018	10,934	Tyres 33%
2017	14,504	Tyres 33%
2015	2,984	Suspension 40%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 Renault Kadjars registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score