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Renault Megane years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

86,654 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2002–2020 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

Renault Megane years with MOT pass rates below the average for vehicles first used in the same year: 2005–2020. None is clearly above it. The other year can't be told apart from average.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

54.4%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 54.1% to 54.8%.

In 2025, 54.4% of the 86,654 initial MOT tests on Renault Megane cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 65.1%. That is 10.7 points below the same-age average.

Check a specific Megane

Its own MOT history, free.

Renault Megane MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2020age 51,04539,30080.0%±2.6−6.0 ptsall: 86.0%
2019age 62,49142,80076.8%±1.7−6.7 ptsall: 83.5%
2018age 71,92053,80075.2%±2.0−5.7 ptsall: 80.9%
2017age 84,70065,20069.8%±1.4−8.4 ptsall: 78.2%
2016age 94,75269,40065.6%±1.4−9.3 ptsall: 74.9%
2015age 106,25383,80057.3%±1.3−14.6 ptsall: 71.9%
2014age 116,71390,90052.3%±1.2−16.3 ptsall: 68.6%
2013age 126,67095,20052.4%±1.2−13.4 ptsall: 65.8%
2012age 137,986100,70051.8%±1.1−11.7 ptsall: 63.5%
2011age 1411,212101,90050.2%±1.0−11.0 ptsall: 61.2%
2010age 1513,144104,80048.7%±0.9−10.6 ptsall: 59.3%
2009age 166,960105,80048.1%±1.2−10.2 ptsall: 58.3%
2008age 173,93895,60049.8%±1.6−7.4 ptsall: 57.2%
2007age 184,04195,90049.9%±1.6−7.5 ptsall: 57.4%
2006age 192,31095,70049.1%±2.1−7.9 ptsall: 57.0%
2005age 201,41092,30050.9%±2.7−6.7 ptsall: 57.6%
2002age 231,10989,70057.3%±3.0−2.2 ptsall: 59.5%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Common Megane problems at the MOT

Share of the 39,486 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

What to check when viewing a Megane

Based on the areas where Renault Megane MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Lights and electrics

    In 50.1% of failed Megane tests

    • Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
    • Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
    • Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.

  2. Suspension

    In 45.6% of failed Megane tests

    • Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
    • On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
    • The car should sit level when parked on flat ground.

  3. Brakes

    In 28.3% of failed Megane tests

    • On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
    • Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
    • Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.

  4. Steering

    In 16.6% of failed Megane tests

    • With the engine running, turn the wheel from lock to lock. It should move smoothly and quietly.
    • On a straight, level road, the car should run straight with the steering wheel centred.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a Megane's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Renault Megane cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Renault Megane cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 9.2% failed on tyres, against 5.2% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 8,835 and 27,810 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory9.2%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted5.2%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 20.3% of those with a tyre advisory and 17.6% of the others.

Brakes

Of Renault Megane cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 15.1% failed on brakes, against 8.4% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 9,855 and 26,765 cars.

  • With a brake advisory15.1%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted8.4%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 22.1% of those with a brake advisory and 16.8% of the others.

Suspension

Of Renault Megane cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 24.3% failed on suspension, against 17.2% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 7,970 and 28,383 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory24.3%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted17.2%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 22.7% of those with a suspension advisory and 16.9% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this out

Renault Megane questions

Which Renault Megane years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, these model years have below-average MOT pass rates: 2005–2020. None is clearly above average. The rest can't be told apart from average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Renault Megane reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 54.4% of initial MOT tests on Renault Megane cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 65.1%. That is 10.7 points below average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Renault Megane problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 50.1% of failed tests), suspension (in 45.6% of failed tests) and brakes (in 28.3% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 10-year-old Renault Megane?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Renault Megane cars first used in 2015, about 10 years old, had a median of 83,800 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific Megane's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Renault Megane

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other Renault models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 12 Renault modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Renault Megane cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count