Used car guide

2005 Renault Scenic: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Renault Scenics, from 584 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

584MOT tests in 2025
50%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
3,300typical miles a year
6.4×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Renault Scenics than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Steering rack inner joints6.4× usual
    Renault Scenic
    25% All 2005 cars
    3.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2005 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.

  • Headlights1.7× usual
    Renault Scenic
    24.8% All 2005 cars
    14.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.1%, against 4.9% of all 2005 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.

  • Brake discs1.7× usual
    Renault Scenic
    24.3% All 2005 cars
    13.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Ball joint2.3× usual
    Renault Scenic
    14.9% All 2005 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.7%, against 3% of all 2005 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.

  • Shock absorbers2× usual
    Renault Scenic
    13.7% All 2005 cars
    6.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 1.7% of all 2005 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.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 4.6% here, against 10.7% of all 2005 cars.

By area

The share of 2005 Renault Scenic MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% 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
    49% 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
    47% 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
    37% 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
    28% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    20% 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 Scenic?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
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%
20081,960Lights and electrics 51%
20072,116Suspension 53%
20061,437Suspension 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Renault Scenics registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score