Renault Megane (2001)
2001 Renault Megane
CarHunch analysed 41,079 real MOT records for the 2001 Renault Megane. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2001 Renault Megane's 70.3% first-time MOT pass rate sits well below the UK average of 80%, signalling this is an ageing model with genuine reliability concerns—and one in four have suffered a dangerous defect, which is a serious red flag for a prospective buyer. Petrol versions fare marginally better at 70.5% than diesels at 68.3%, but the difference is marginal.
At nearly 75,000 miles on average, these Meganes have typical mileage for their 23-year age, but they're racking up nearly 4 failures and 11 advisories per test, pointing to widespread wear across multiple systems rather than isolated weak spots. If you're considering one, budget for immediate remedial work on electrics, suspension and exhaust components, and insist on a pre-purchase inspection that specifically examines the brake system and chassis for corrosion.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2.2 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2001 Renault Megane
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 23.5% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Renault Megane
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (90%) | 37,031 | 70.5% | 3.99 |
| Diesel (10%) | 4,028 | 68.3% | 3.85 |
| Other (0%) | 10 | 89.6% | 0.8 |
| LPG (0%) | 8 | 66.2% | 3.25 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 60% | 6 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 50% | 4 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2001 Renault Megane vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2001 Renault Megane vehicles fall between 55,642 and 86,120 miles.
2001 Renault Megane — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 1,191 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2023 (6% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2023.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2001 Renault Megane
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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82.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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76%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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61.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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54%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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38.7%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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37.1%
Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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35.8%
Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt
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31.7%
Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2001. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Renault Megane?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.