Used car guide

2017 Renault Twingo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2017 Renault Twingos, from 1,400 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,400MOT tests in 2025
77%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%)
4,200typical miles a year
3.2×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2017 Renault Twingos than on all cars registered in 2017.

  • Ball joint3.2× usual
    Renault Twingo
    6% All 2017 cars
    1.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 0.9% of all 2017 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.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)7.8× usual
    Renault Twingo
    3.1% All 2017 cars
    0.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 0.4% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

By area

The share of 2017 Renault Twingo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    31% 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.

  • Brakes
    20% 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.

  • Suspension
    15% 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
    7% 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
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    4% 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%
20162,958Tyres 31%
20155,065Tyres 32%
2014903Suspension 34%
2013950Suspension 48%
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 2017 Renault Twingos registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score