2011 Renault Twingo: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Renault Twingo?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Renault Twingo than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Rigid brake pipes3.1× usual
  Renault Twingo

  19% All 2011 cars

  6.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1% of all 2011 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 bushes15.4× usual
  Renault Twingo

  10.8% All 2011 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.2% of all 2011 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.

• Individual direction indicators3.6× usual
  Renault Twingo

  11.2% All 2011 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 1.2% of all 2011 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.

• Horn13× usual
  Renault Twingo

  6.5% All 2011 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 0.5% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

• Track rod ends2.2× usual
  Renault Twingo

  11.5% All 2011 cars

  5.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, against 2.6% of all 2011 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.

Common 2011 Renault Twingo MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Renault Twingo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  52% 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
  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.

• 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
  32% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  11% 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
  9% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Renault Twingo

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

1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2011 Renault Twingo as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 15.4× as often on the 2011 Renault Twingo as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2011 Renault Twingo as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?