Used car guide

2001 Renault Megane: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Renault Meganes, from 715 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

715MOT tests in 2025

57%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)

3,600typical miles a year

2×the usual rate for number plates

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 Renault Meganes than on all cars registered in 2001.

Number plates2× usual

Renault Megane
14.7% All 2001 cars
7.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.7% of all 2001 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.
Drive shaft (CV) joints1.9× usual

Renault Megane
11.9% All 2001 cars
6.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 2.7% of all 2001 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.
Washers2.3× usual

Renault Megane
7.8% All 2001 cars
3.4%

Failed outright at MOT: 7.8%, against 3.4% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.
Anti-roll bar bushes and joints3× usual

Renault Megane
5.9% All 2001 cars
2%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.4% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

Better than most

Exhaust system: 2.8% here, against 9.7% of all 2001 cars. Coil springs: 4.9% here, against 9.8% of all 2001 cars.

By area

The share of 2001 Renault Megane MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Lights and electrics

42% of testsRough price £10–£80

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
Brakes

41% 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

35% 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

32% 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.
Wipers, windscreen and mirrors

16% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

14% 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.

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2022	1,296	Tyres 28%
2021	788	Tyres 26%
2020	1,049	Tyres 27%
2019	2,489	Tyres 31%
2018	1,929	Tyres 32%
2017	4,699	Tyres 35%
2016	4,758	Suspension 33%
2015	6,255	Suspension 48%
2014	6,723	Suspension 52%
2013	6,683	Suspension 51%
2012	8,007	Suspension 52%
2011	11,251	Suspension 53%
2010	13,202	Suspension 53%
2009	6,994	Suspension 54%
2008	3,949	Lights and electrics 54%
2007	4,048	Lights and electrics 54%
2006	2,319	Lights and electrics 54%
2005	1,428	Lights and electrics 50%
2004	729	Lights and electrics 49%
2003	556	Lights and electrics 45%
2002	1,110	Lights and electrics 44%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 Renault Meganes registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score