Used car guide

2018 Renault Megane: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Renault Meganes, from 1,929 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,929MOT tests in 2025
75%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
7,700typical miles a year
7.8×the usual rate for anti-roll bar link joints

What stands out

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

  • Anti-roll bar link joints7.8× usual
    Renault Megane
    3.9% All 2018 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.2% 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× usual
    Renault Megane
    6.4% All 2018 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, 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.

  • Headlights3.5× usual
    Renault Megane
    3.9% All 2018 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 1% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Link ball joint covers7.3× usual
    Renault Megane
    2.2% All 2018 cars
    0.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.1% 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.

  • Ball joint2× usual
    Renault Megane
    2.6% All 2018 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, 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.

By area

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

  • 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.

  • Brakes
    22% 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.

  • Suspension
    17% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    14% 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
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Looking at a Renault Megane?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20221,296Tyres 28%
2021788Tyres 26%
20201,049Tyres 27%
20192,489Tyres 31%
20174,699Tyres 35%
20164,758Suspension 33%
20156,255Suspension 48%
20146,723Suspension 52%
20136,683Suspension 51%
20128,007Suspension 52%
201111,251Suspension 53%
201013,202Suspension 53%
20096,994Suspension 54%
20083,949Lights and electrics 54%
20074,048Lights and electrics 54%
20062,319Lights and electrics 54%
20051,428Lights and electrics 50%
2004729Lights and electrics 49%
2003556Lights and electrics 45%
20021,110Lights and electrics 44%
2001715Lights and electrics 42%

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