Used car guide

2009 Renault Koleos: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Renault Koleoss, from 598 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

598MOT tests in 2025

51%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)

7,200typical miles a year

4.7×the usual rate for track rod ends

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Renault Koleoss than on all cars registered in 2009.

Track rod ends4.7× usual

Renault Koleos
25.6% All 2009 cars
5.4%

Failed outright at MOT: 15.9%, against 2.5% of all 2009 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.
Suspension arm4.8× usual

Renault Koleos
18.7% All 2009 cars
3.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 0.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Suspension arm bushes and joints2× usual

Renault Koleos
22.7% All 2009 cars
11.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 2.3% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Brake pads2.1× usual

Renault Koleos
18.2% All 2009 cars
8.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 2.1% of all 2009 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.
Sub-frame2.1× usual

Renault Koleos
15.9% All 2009 cars
7.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 3.3% here, against 7.5% of all 2009 cars.

By area

The share of 2009 Renault Koleos MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

68% 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.
Brakes

40% 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.
Tyres

32% 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.
Oil and fluid leaks

15% of testsRough price £80–£600

At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.
Driveshafts and joints

12% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

Looking at a Renault Koleos?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2019	1,002	Tyres 25%
2018	906	Brakes 25%
2017	673	Tyres 28%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Renault Koleoss registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score