2017 Renault Megane — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 28,362 MOT tests analysed for the 2017 Renault Megane, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, tyres and suspension. Its pass rate of 83.5% was below the average for small family cars of a similar age (88.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 22.3% in the 150k+ group versus 11.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.7% | 2,175 |
| 2 | Tyres | 7.1% | 2,006 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.8% | 1,371 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.5% | 980 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.5% | 979 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.1% | 325 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 982 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 898 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 797 |
| 4 | Wipers | 732 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 662 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints | 552 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 28.1% | 7,971 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.7% | 5,868 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.6% | 2,734 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.5% | 2,119 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 2.6% | 745 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.2% | 635 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 5,165 | 11.3% |
| 30-60k | 13,485 | 15.5% |
| 60-90k | 6,806 | 20.0% |
| 90-120k | 2,041 | 21.1% |
| 120-150k | 580 | 23.6% |
| 150k+ | 282 | 22.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 22,079 | 17.3% |
| Petrol | 6,283 | 13.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,657 | 13.8% |
| 2022 | 5,560 | 13.9% |
| 2023 | 5,671 | 16.4% |
| 2024 | 5,733 | 18.1% |
| 2025 | 5,741 | 20.0% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Megane
Before buying a 2017 Renault Megane, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 7.7% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (7.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (7.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Suspension (4.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2017 Renault Meganes pass their MOT?
83.5% of the 28,362 2017 Renault Megane MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Renault Megane?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.7% of tests, followed by tyres (7.1%).
Does the 2017 Megane get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.3% in the 0-30k band to 22.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 28,362 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.