Used car guide

2012 Renault Modus: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Renault Moduss, from 127 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 127 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

127MOT tests in 2025
50%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
4,500typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Renault Moduss than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Coil springs2.5× usual
    Renault Modus
    23.6% All 2012 cars
    9.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 18.1%, against 4% of all 2012 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.

By area

The share of 2012 Renault Modus MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    46% 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.

  • Tyres
    39% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    34% 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
    28% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    9% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% 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 Modus?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20111,240Suspension 45%
20101,354Suspension 48%
2009811Suspension 42%
20081,481Suspension 48%
20071,440Suspension 49%
20061,518Suspension 48%
20051,866Lights and electrics 52%
2004401Brakes 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Renault Moduss registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score