Used car guide · 2004–2012

Renault Modus common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Renault Modus, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 36,020 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

36,020MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
14,269on the UK register
2009best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

201220112010200920082007200620052004

What usually goes wrong with a Renault Modus?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Renault Modus in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Renault Modus MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Brake lights

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

    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.

  • Sidelights

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011.

    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.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

    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 springs

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010 and 2011.

    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.

  • Ball joint

    up to 1.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

    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.

  • Seat belts

    up to 3.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock and retract smoothly.

Diesel

  • Track rod ends

    up to 3.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

    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.

  • Ball joint

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011.

    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.

  • Diesel smoke emissions

    up to 6.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    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.

  • Coil springs

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2011.

    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.

  • Seat belts

    up to 4.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2010 and 2011.

    Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock and retract smoothly.

  • Sidelights

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006 and 2011.

    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.

Renault Modus MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2009 Renault Modus did best (55% passed first time, 4 points below all 2009 cars) and the 2011 did worst (51%, 11 points below all 2011 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201252%64% -12386 (small sample)
201151%62% -113,853
201054%60% -64,478
200955%59% -42,708
200850%57% -75,038
200750%57% -75,060
200649%56% -75,639
200548%57% -97,167
200446%57% -111,691

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Renault Modus

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

  1. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the Renault Modus as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the Renault Modus as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the Renault Modus as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Renault Modus?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score