Used car guide

2009 Renault Scenic: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Renault Scenics, from 1,585 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,585MOT tests in 2025
51%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
6,300typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

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

  • Headlights1.9× usual
    Renault Scenic
    16.1% All 2009 cars
    8.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 3.9% of all 2009 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.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.9× usual
    Renault Scenic
    9.8% All 2009 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2009 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.

  • Sidelights1.8× usual
    Renault Scenic
    12.6% All 2009 cars
    7.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.1%, against 6.3% 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.

  • Ball joint1.8× usual
    Renault Scenic
    11.9% All 2009 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.2%, against 3.4% of all 2009 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.

  • Track rod ends1.9× usual
    Renault Scenic
    10.3% All 2009 cars
    5.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, 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.

Better than most

Ball joint dust cover: 1.9% here, against 4.4% of all 2009 cars.

By area

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

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    46% 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
    43% 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
    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.

  • Steering
    11% 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.

  • 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.

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%
20081,960Lights and electrics 51%
20072,116Suspension 53%
20061,437Suspension 52%
2005584Suspension 50%

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