Used car guide

2010 Renault Scenic: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2010 Renault Scenics, from 5,140 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,140MOT tests in 2025
52%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%)
6,900typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2010 Renault Scenics than on all cars registered in 2010.

  • Headlights2.4× usual
    Renault Scenic
    16.2% All 2010 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 3.6% of all 2010 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.

  • Track rod ends2.7× usual
    Renault Scenic
    14.6% All 2010 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.3%, against 2.7% of all 2010 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.

  • Coil springs1.6× usual
    Renault Scenic
    18.4% All 2010 cars
    11.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.8%, against 4.3% of all 2010 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.7× usual
    Renault Scenic
    10.6% All 2010 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 1.5% of all 2010 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.

  • Ball joint2× usual
    Renault Scenic
    13% All 2010 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.2%, against 3.4% of all 2010 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.

Better than most

Exhaust system: 0.6% here, against 7.6% of all 2010 cars. Sub-frame: 0.4% here, against 7% of all 2010 cars.

By area

The share of 2010 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
    43% 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
    41% 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.

  • 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    7% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

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%
20091,585Suspension 48%
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 2010 Renault Scenics registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score