Used car guide

2008 Renault Twingo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Renault Twingos, from 2,284 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,284MOT tests in 2025
52%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
5,100typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Renault Twingos than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.7× usual
    Renault Twingo
    26.2% All 2008 cars
    9.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.5% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Engine oil leaks1.9× usual
    Renault Twingo
    24% All 2008 cars
    12.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes11.6× usual
    Renault Twingo
    11.6% All 2008 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 0.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Track rod ends2.4× usual
    Renault Twingo
    13.1% All 2008 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.4%, against 2.5% of all 2008 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.

  • Airbag warning light4.2× usual
    Renault Twingo
    4.2% All 2008 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 0.9% of all 2008 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.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 3.8% here, against 11.3% of all 2008 cars. Rust around suspension or steering mountings: 0.9% here, against 4.1% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Renault Twingo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    54% 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
    44% 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
    40% 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
    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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    25% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    12% 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 Twingo?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2018796Tyres 31%
20171,400Tyres 31%
20162,958Tyres 31%
20155,065Tyres 32%
2014903Suspension 34%
2013950Suspension 48%
20121,236Suspension 49%
20112,316Suspension 52%
20103,728Suspension 50%
20091,450Suspension 51%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Renault Twingos registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score