2017 Renault Scenic: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 Renault Scenic?

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

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual
  Renault Scenic

  7.1% All 2017 cars

  3.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.7% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Headlights3× usual
  Renault Scenic

  3.6% All 2017 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Brake lights2.9× usual
  Renault Scenic

  3.2% All 2017 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 0.9% of all 2017 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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints3.9× usual
  Renault Scenic

  2.7% All 2017 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.2% 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.

• Wheels2.8× usual
  Renault Scenic

  2.5% All 2017 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.3% of all 2017 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.

Common 2017 Renault Scenic MOT failures and advisories

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

• Tyres
  33% 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
  21% 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
  13% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  3% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  3% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Known faults on the 2017 Renault Scenic

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Oil burning (1.2 TCe / DIG-T petrol)

  1.2 TCe / DIG-T turbo petrol

  The 1.2 turbo petrol shared by Renault and Nissan (TCe or DIG-T) can burn oil, and some owners have needed a replacement engine. Running low on oil makes it worse.

  At the viewing: Check the oil level on the dipstick, look for blue smoke from the exhaust, and ask how often it needs topping up. It should be checked every 1,000–2,000 miles.

  Source: Auto Express: used Renault Kadjar (2015 on) review, Car Mechanics: buying and owning the Nissan Qashqai J11 (2013-2021)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2017 Renault Scenic

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

1. How often does it need oil between services, and has there been any engine work?
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2017 Renault Scenic as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2017 Renault Scenic as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2017 Renault Scenic as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?