Model reliability

Renault Modus reliability

The Renault Modus fails its MOT more often than most cars over 10 years old: 49.5% of 14,065 tests failed in 2023, against 39.7% on average.

Over 10 years old

49.5% failed their MOT

Worse than most

From 14,065 MOT tests of Renault Moduss this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 3× as oftenSprings12.6% vs 4.1%Fix about £150

Fails 2× as oftenPosition lamps11% vs 5.3%Fix about £30

Fails 52% more oftenHeadlamp aim8.2% vs 5.4%Fix about £30

Fails 79% more oftenHeadlamps7% vs 3.9%Fix about £30

Advised 33% more oftenBrake performance6.1% vs 4.6%

Advised 49% more oftenHeadlamps5.5% vs 3.7%Fix about £30

Advised 2× as oftenSteering linkage components5.5% vs 2.8%

Safety recalls

5 DVSA recalls for the Renault Modus

Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.

R/2010/03820 Apr 2010Built 2008–2009Rear bench seat may jam

The rear passengers may not be sufficiently restrained during an accident if the manually adjustable bench seat mechanism jams.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to fit a reinforcement bracket and a cable tie to the seat adjustment mechanism.

Recalled models: MODUS · 4,403 vehicles

R/2007/14330 Oct 2007Built 2004Front head restraint may not retain its position in the event of an impact.

It has been identified that the possibility exists that the front seat head restraint components may have been incorrectly welded into position in the seat frame. This in certain cases can cause the sleeve to become loose to the seat frame. This has the potential to prevent the front seat head restraints retaining their position in the event of an impact.

Fix: Recalled vehicles will have the fabrication of the two front seat back frames checked. These will be replaced if found to be necessary.

Recalled models: MODUS · 76 vehicles

R/2007/04413 Apr 2007Built 2005–2006Stop light failure

Under particular circumstances of use the potential exists for the stop light switch to melt due to overheating of the grease in the circuit switches with the potential for coking of the contacts. This can result in failure of the stop lights and overheating at the pedal floor or smoke in the passenger compartment.

Fix: Recalled vehicles will have the stop light switch replaced.

Recalled models: MODUS · 4,234 vehicles

R/2005/18217 Jan 2006Built 2004Gearbox may disengage from the park position

Due to the possible non-conformity of the gearbox control there is a risk that the transmission may disengage from the parking position (without the footbrake having first been applied)

Fix: Recalled vehicles will have the conformity of the gearbox control checked and replaced as necessary.

Recalled models: MODUS · 55 vehicles

R/2005/05020 May 2005Built 2004–2005Steering column assembly

A risk exists that the steering column intermediate shaft has been incorrectly fitted.

Fix: Recalled vehicles will have the position of the mounting yolk of the intermediate shaft checked and modified as necessary.

Recalled models: MODUS · 9,514 vehicles

DVSA vehicle safety recalls (Crown copyright, Open Government Licence).

Checking a Renault Modus before you buy

Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2023 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Failure rates compare this model with all cars in the same age band. Fix prices are typical independent-garage estimates.

Renault Modus reliability

5 DVSA recalls for the Renault Modus

Checking a Renault Modus before you buy

Run this check on every listing, automatically.