Used car guide

2009 Renault Modus: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Renault Moduss, from 811 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

811MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
4,400typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for track rod ends

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Renault Moduss than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Track rod ends2.4× usual
    Renault Modus
    13.1% All 2009 cars
    5.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 2.5% of all 2009 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.

  • Brake lights2.1× usual
    Renault Modus
    11.5% All 2009 cars
    5.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 4.3% of all 2009 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.

  • Seat belts2.9× usual
    Renault Modus
    4.4% All 2009 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 0.5% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

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

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 2.7% here, against 11.1% of all 2009 cars. Exhaust system: 3.2% here, against 8.4% of all 2009 cars.

By area

The share of 2009 Renault Modus MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    42% 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
    38% 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.

  • Brakes
    35% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    10% 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
    8% 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 Modus?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20111,240Suspension 45%
20101,354Suspension 48%
20081,481Suspension 48%
20071,440Suspension 49%
20061,518Suspension 48%
20051,866Lights and electrics 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Renault Moduss registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score