Used car guide

2004 Renault Laguna: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Renault Laguna first registered in 2004: we looked at the 1,168 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,168MOTs of 2004 cars, done in 2023–2025
54%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 57%)
4,800typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for brake discs

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Renault Laguna?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 Renault Laguna than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Brake discs2× usual
    Renault Laguna
    26.2% All 2004 cars
    13.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 1% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Steering swivel joints10.3× usual
    Renault Laguna
    9.3% All 2004 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 0.1% of all 2004 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.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.2× usual
    Renault Laguna
    11.8% All 2004 cars
    3.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2004 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.

  • Track rod ends1.9× usual
    Renault Laguna
    12.2% All 2004 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 3% of all 2004 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.

  • Sub-frame bushes11.4× usual
    Renault Laguna
    5.7% All 2004 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.1% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

FuelPass first timeStands outMOTs
Petrol54%Brake discs 1.9×, Steering swivel joints 11.2×, Steering rack inner joints 3.2×710
Diesel53%Brake discs 2.2×, Steering rack inner joints 3.2×, Steering swivel joints 9×458

Common 2004 Renault Laguna MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2004 Renault Laguna MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    55% 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
    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.

  • Lights and electrics
    39% 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
    34% 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
    17% 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.

  • Steering
    15% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2004 Renault Laguna

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2004 Renault Laguna as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the steering swivel joints? (Flagged at MOT 10.3× as often on the 2004 Renault Laguna as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2004 Renault Laguna as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Renault Laguna?

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

Other years

Every year of the Renault Laguna compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2012775Suspension 43%
20114,316Suspension 45%
20105,018Suspension 48%
20093,558Suspension 48%
20085,891Suspension 50%
20072,713Suspension 55%
20061,392Suspension 54%
20051,132Suspension 53%
2003831Suspension 55%
2002506Suspension 51%
2001177Suspension 50%
2000302Suspension 49%
1999169Suspension 44%
1998104Lights and electrics 38%
1997–Too few tests
1996–Too few tests
1995–Too few tests
1994–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Renault Laguna cars first registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score