Used car guide

2004 Renault Scenic: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Renault Scenics, from 419 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 419 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

419MOT tests in 2025
52%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
2,800typical miles a year
6.2×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Renault Scenics than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Steering rack inner joints6.2× usual
    Renault Scenic
    23.6% All 2004 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Headlights1.8× usual
    Renault Scenic
    25.3% All 2004 cars
    13.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.3%, against 4.7% of all 2004 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.

  • Shock absorbers2.2× usual
    Renault Scenic
    15.3% All 2004 cars
    7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Brake pads1.9× usual
    Renault Scenic
    13.8% All 2004 cars
    7.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

By area

The share of 2004 Renault Scenic MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    51% 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
    48% 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
    48% 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.

  • Steering
    25% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    15% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Renault Scenic?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2019290Tyres 32%
2018580Tyres 31%
20171,098Tyres 31%
20161,054Tyres 31%
20153,017Suspension 35%
20143,041Suspension 41%
20132,747Suspension 44%
20122,439Suspension 49%
20113,601Suspension 49%
20105,140Suspension 50%
20091,585Suspension 48%
20081,960Suspension 51%
20072,116Suspension 53%
20061,437Brakes 52%
2005584Suspension 50%
2003364Brakes 51%
2002270Brakes 47%
2001151Lights and electrics 44%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Renault Scenics registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score