Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2012 Renault Grand Scenic?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2012 Renault Grand Scenic?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2012 Renault Grand Scenic?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2012 Renault Grand Scenic vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

51% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2012 Renault Grand Scenic reliable?

Based on MOT data from 2,086 vehicles, the 2012 Renault Grand Scenic has a first-time MOT pass rate of 74.3%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2012 Renault Grand Scenic?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Renault Grand Scenic (2012)

2,086 real MOT outcomes analysed • 74.3% first-time pass rate

2012 Renault Grand Scenic

CarHunch analysed 2,086 real MOT records for the 2012 Renault Grand Scenic. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2012 Renault Grand Scenic falls short of the UK average with a 74.3% first-time pass rate, and more concerningly, over half of these vehicles (51%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a significant red flag for any prospective buyer. Diesel versions fare slightly better at 74.8% versus petrol's 71.3%, but neither inspires confidence.

These cars are averaging 73,700 miles, which is reasonable for their age, yet owners face an average of 3.69 failures per test and a high advisory count of 20.7, suggesting persistent wear and minor issues. Before committing to a Grand Scenic of this generation, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the areas most commonly failing—suspension, brakes, and emissions systems—as the reliability pattern here is clearly below average.

The 2012 Renault Grand Scenic has a below-average first-time pass rate (74.3% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

74.3%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

51.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.69

Over 13.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

72k

Middle half: 58k–90k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 20.7 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 2,086 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 2,086 Renault Grand Scenic cars.

Before you buy a 2012 Renault Grand Scenic

Based on MOT data from 2,086 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 51.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (88%)	1,828	74.8%	3.58
Petrol (12%)	258	71.3%	4.47

Colour Breakdown

Based on 72,986 Renault Grand Scenic vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 25.9%

18,907

Silver 19%

13,839

Grey 13.7%

9,990

Black 13.5%

9,875

Red 10.2%

7,429

Beige 5.2%

3,828

Gold 4.1%

2,958

Bronze 3.7%

2,681

Green 2.3%

1,712

White 1.7%

1,260

Yellow 0.4%

312

Brown 0.3%

195

Mileage Distribution

Most 2012 Renault Grand Scenic vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

72,211

typical

57,719

low mileage

89,689

high mileage

Half of all 2012 Renault Grand Scenic vehicles fall between 57,719 and 89,689 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 57,719 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 57,719–89,689 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2012 Renault Grand Scenics sit.

⚠ Over 121,080 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2012 Renault Grand Scenic — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 66% of 2012 Renault Grand Scenics are still active.

1,299 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 66% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

13.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.69

Avg failures per vehicle

20.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Renault Grand Scenic: All Grand Scenic years → Which year to buy? →

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Or browse all models: Renault →

Compare with another model

See how the 2012 Renault Grand Scenic stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on