Used car guide

2017 Renault Kadjar: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2017 Renault Kadjars, from 14,504 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

14,504MOT tests in 2025
72%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%)
7,600typical miles a year
1.7×the usual rate for brake pads

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2017 Renault Kadjars than on all cars registered in 2017.

  • Brake pads1.7× usual
    Renault Kadjar
    17.5% All 2017 cars
    10.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 2.1% of all 2017 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 joint dust cover5.4× usual
    Renault Kadjar
    7.6% All 2017 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.5% of all 2017 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.

  • Headlights4.5× usual
    Renault Kadjar
    5.9% All 2017 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 1.2% of all 2017 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.

  • Track rod ends2.9× usual
    Renault Kadjar
    5.7% All 2017 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.9% of all 2017 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.

  • Number plate lights2.3× usual
    Renault Kadjar
    5.6% All 2017 cars
    2.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.7% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

By area

The share of 2017 Renault Kadjar MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Suspension
    24% 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
    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
    5% 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

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022679Tyres 20%
20211,539Tyres 27%
20207,986Tyres 38%
201911,751Tyres 36%
201810,934Tyres 33%
201618,963Suspension 35%
20152,984Suspension 40%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2017 Renault Kadjars registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score