Used car guide

2018 Renault Koleos: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Renault Koleoss, from 906 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

906MOT tests in 2025
82%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
8,400typical miles a year
24.2×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Renault Koleoss than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Steering rack inner joints24.2× usual
    Renault Koleos
    9.7% All 2018 cars
    0.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Ball joint5× usual
    Renault Koleos
    6.5% All 2018 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 0.6% of all 2018 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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.1× usual
    Renault Koleos
    6.7% All 2018 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.5% of all 2018 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.

  • Track rod ends2.3× usual
    Renault Koleos
    3.9% All 2018 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.8% of all 2018 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.

Better than most

Tyre condition: 6.1% here, against 13.9% of all 2018 cars.

By area

The share of 2018 Renault Koleos MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    25% 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
    23% 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.

  • Suspension
    18% 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.

  • Steering
    11% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

  • Lights and electrics
    6% 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
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20191,002Tyres 25%
2017673Tyres 28%
2009598Suspension 68%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Renault Koleoss registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score