Used car guide

2013 Renault Twingo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Renault Twingos, from 950 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

950MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
5,000typical miles a year
4.4×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Renault Twingos than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Rigid brake pipes4.4× usual
    Renault Twingo
    20.8% All 2013 cars
    4.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 0.6% of all 2013 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes19.8× usual
    Renault Twingo
    9.9% All 2013 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.1% of all 2013 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.

  • Front strut mounts and bushes11.8× usual
    Renault Twingo
    7.1% All 2013 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.1% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Wheels4.9× usual
    Renault Twingo
    6.8% All 2013 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.5% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Ball joint2.1× usual
    Renault Twingo
    10.7% All 2013 cars
    5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.4%, against 2.7% of all 2013 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.

By area

The share of 2013 Renault Twingo 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.

  • Brakes
    36% 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
    35% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    26% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    7% 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 Twingo?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2018796Tyres 31%
20171,400Tyres 31%
20162,958Tyres 31%
20155,065Tyres 32%
2014903Suspension 34%
20121,236Suspension 49%
20112,316Suspension 52%
20103,728Suspension 50%
20091,450Suspension 51%
20082,284Suspension 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 Renault Twingos registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score