Used car guide

2011 Renault Laguna: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Renault Lagunas, from 1,282 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,282MOT tests in 2025
54%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
8,700typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Renault Lagunas than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Brake discs1.8× usual
    Renault Laguna
    26.8% All 2011 cars
    14.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 1.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Coil springs1.9× usual
    Renault Laguna
    19.2% All 2011 cars
    10.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 12.3%, against 4.1% of all 2011 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 pipes2.3× usual
    Renault Laguna
    14.1% All 2011 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1% of all 2011 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) joints2.6× usual
    Renault Laguna
    12.4% All 2011 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 2.2% of all 2011 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.

  • Number plate lights1.9× usual
    Renault Laguna
    15.1% All 2011 cars
    8.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 2.3% of all 2011 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.

Better than most

Sub-frame: 2.2% here, against 5.9% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Renault Laguna MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% 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
    47% 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
    40% 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
    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.

  • 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Looking at a Renault Laguna?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20101,422Suspension 50%
2009981Suspension 49%
20081,555Suspension 52%
2007603Suspension 56%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Renault Lagunas registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score