Used car guide

2008 Renault Laguna: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Renault Lagunas, from 1,555 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,555MOT tests in 2025

52%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)

7,300typical miles a year

1.7×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Renault Lagunas than on all cars registered in 2008.

Coil springs1.7× usual

Renault Laguna
20.6% All 2008 cars
12.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 9.9%, against 3.9% of all 2008 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.
Rigid brake pipes1.8× usual

Renault Laguna
17.2% All 2008 cars
9.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.5% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.
Drive shaft (CV) joints1.9× usual

Renault Laguna
13.6% All 2008 cars
7.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 3.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.
Sidelights1.8× usual

Renault Laguna
13.4% All 2008 cars
7.4%

Failed outright at MOT: 11.8%, against 6.5% of all 2008 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.
Anti-roll bar link joints2× usual

Renault Laguna
8.6% All 2008 cars
4.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.6% of all 2008 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.

Better than most

Sub-frame: 1.3% here, against 7.8% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Renault Laguna MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

52% 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

46% 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

44% 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

36% 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.
Driveshafts and joints

14% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

12% 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.

Looking at a Renault Laguna?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2011	1,282	Suspension 50%
2010	1,422	Suspension 50%
2009	981	Suspension 49%
2007	603	Suspension 56%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Renault Lagunas registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score