Renault Scenic (2003)
2003 Renault Scenic
CarHunch analysed 14,792 real MOT records for the 2003 Renault Scenic. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Renault Scenic passes its MOT first time in only 69% of cases, well below the UK average of 80%, and this is a genuine reliability concern—one in three of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is significantly higher than typical. Petrol and diesel versions perform almost identically poorly, both hovering around 69% pass rates, so fuel type won't solve the underlying problem.
At 57,916 miles on average, these cars are running relatively low mileage for their age, yet they're still accumulating nearly 5 failures per test and 17.7 advisories, suggesting structural or systemic issues rather than age-related wear. If you're considering one, budget for regular and significant repairs, inspect the full MOT history yourself before buying, and be especially wary of any vehicle with a history of dangerous defects recorded.
What to check before buying a 2003 Renault Scenic
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.
- ⚠️ 33.5% 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 Scenic
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 (70%) | 10,345 | 69.2% | 5.07 |
| Diesel (30%) | 4,436 | 68.4% | 4.62 |
| LPG (0%) | 6 | 70% | 3.83 |
| Other (0%) | 4 | 86.5% | 1 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Renault Scenic 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 2003 Renault Scenic vehicles fall between 37,680 and 71,558 miles.
2003 Renault Scenic — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 647 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 — 2003 Renault Scenic
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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85.8%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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80.3%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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61.4%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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52.2%
Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt
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51.8%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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42.2%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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41.9%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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36.6%
Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Renault Scenic?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.