Used car guide

2006 Renault Scenic: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Renault Scenics, from 1,437 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,437MOT tests in 2025
50%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
4,800typical miles a year
6.8×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Renault Scenics than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Steering rack inner joints6.8× usual
    Renault Scenic
    26.4% All 2006 cars
    3.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2006 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.

  • Brake discs1.9× usual
    Renault Scenic
    26.8% All 2006 cars
    14.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 1% of all 2006 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.

  • Individual direction indicators2.8× usual
    Renault Scenic
    10.2% All 2006 cars
    3.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.6% of all 2006 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.

  • Ball joint2× usual
    Renault Scenic
    12.8% All 2006 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.9%, against 3% of all 2006 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 absorbers1.8× usual
    Renault Scenic
    13.8% All 2006 cars
    7.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 1.9% of all 2006 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: 5.3% here, against 11.1% of all 2006 cars. Sub-frame: 1.5% here, against 7.1% of all 2006 cars.

By area

The share of 2006 Renault Scenic MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    52% 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.

  • Brakes
    52% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    50% 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
    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
    29% 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%
2005584Suspension 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 Renault Scenics registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score