At a Glance
The Renault Megane has 22 identified common problems across 5 generations, with the Mk1 (1995-2002) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 6.2M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Renault Megane common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Renault Megane generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Renault Megane Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
Mk1
Top issue: Driveshaft fault
Mk2
Top issue: Driveshaft fault
Mk3
Top issue: Driveshaft fault
Mk4
Most common MOT failure: Tyre condition
Mk5 E-Tech
Most common MOT failure: Brake pads or linings worn
Most Common Renault Megane MOT Failures
Every reason Renault Megane vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Number plate lamp not working | 7.77% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 7.76% |
| 3 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 6.72% |
| 4 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 6.51% |
| 5 | Driveshaft fault | 4.92% |
| 6 | Stop lamp not working | 4.81% |
| 7 | Headlamp aim defect | 4.24% |
| 8 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.18% |
| 9 | Track rod end worn | 4.13% |
| 10 | Windscreen washer not working | 4.09% |
| 11 | Front lamp not working | 4.04% |
| 12 | Brake disc or drum worn | 3.89% |
| 13 | Tyre condition | 3.68% |
| 14 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.53% |
| 15 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 3.22% |
| 16 | Exhaust system fault | 2.76% |
| 17 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.73% |
| 18 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 1.71% |
| 19 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.32% |
| 20 | Position lamp not working | 1.28% |
| 21 | Rear lamp not working | 1.21% |
| 22 | Indicator fault | 1.19% |
| 23 | Headlamp fault | 1.02% |
| 24 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.97% |
| 25 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 0.86% |
| 26 | Airbag warning light on | 0.81% |
| 27 | ABS fault | 0.74% |
| 28 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.67% |
| 29 | Rear suspension fault | 0.64% |
| 30 | Steering rack fault | 0.56% |
| 31 | Fog lamp not working | 0.55% |
| 32 | Seat belt condition | 0.47% |
| 33 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.45% |
| 34 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.43% |
| 35 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.37% |
| 36 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.37% |
| 37 | Parking brake condition | 0.35% |
| 38 | Front suspension fault | 0.34% |
| 39 | Horn not working | 0.32% |
| 40 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.31% |
| 41 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.28% |
| 42 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.26% |
| 43 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.26% |
| 44 | Electrical switch fault | 0.25% |
| 45 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.25% |
| 46 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.24% |
| 47 | Steering free play excessive | 0.23% |
| 48 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.21% |
| 49 | Chassis condition | 0.17% |
| 50 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.16% |
| 51 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.14% |
| 52 | Drag link end worn | 0.14% |
| 53 | Brake pedal fault | 0.13% |
| 54 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.13% |
| 55 | Steering arm worn | 0.13% |
| 56 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.12% |
| 57 | Brake fluid leak | 0.12% |
| 58 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.11% |
| 59 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.09% |
| 60 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.09% |
| 61 | Brake caliper fault | 0.09% |
| 62 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.08% |
| 63 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.08% |
| 64 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.07% |
| 65 | Brake lever fault | 0.06% |
| 66 | Steering operation fault | 0.05% |
| 67 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.05% |
| 68 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.05% |
| 69 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.05% |
| 70 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 71 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.04% |
| 72 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.04% |
| 73 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.04% |
| 74 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.04% |
| 75 | Driver airbag fault | 0.04% |
| 76 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.04% |
| 77 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.03% |
| 78 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 79 | Body security fault | 0.03% |
| 80 | Propshaft fault | 0.03% |
| 81 | Engine oil leak | 0.03% |
| 82 | Steering lock fault | 0.03% |
| 83 | CV joint worn | 0.02% |
| 84 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.02% |
| 85 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 86 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 87 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.02% |
| 88 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 89 | Power steering pump fault | 0.02% |
| 90 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.02% |
| 92 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 93 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.01% |
| 94 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 95 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.01% |
| 96 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.01% |
| 97 | Steering column fault | 0.01% |
| 98 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.01% |
| 99 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.01% |
| 100 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 101 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.01% |
| 102 | Front passenger door fault | <0.01% |
| 103 | Driver door fault | <0.01% |
| 104 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 105 | Brake fluid warning light on | <0.01% |
| 106 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 107 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 108 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 110 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 119 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 125 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 127 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 128 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 129 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 131 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 133 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 135 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 136 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 137 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 139 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 142 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 143 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 144 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 145 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 146 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 147 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 149 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 151 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 154 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 157 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 160 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 161 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 163 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 164 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 165 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 168 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 169 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 171 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 174 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 175 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 179 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 180 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 184 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 185 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 186 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 187 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 188 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 189 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 190 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 191 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 192 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 193 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 194 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 195 | Anchor bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 196 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 197 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
| 198 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
Showing all 198 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Renault Megane MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Renault Megane, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Renault Megane problems?
Based on analysis of 6.2M Renault Megane MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 22 identified common problems across 5 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Driveshaft fault". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Renault Megane generation has the most problems?
The Renault Megane Mk1 (1995-2002) (1995–2002) has the highest number of identified common problems (17). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Renault Megane?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Renault Megane owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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