Renault Koleos MOT pass rate and common problems
81.8% of 7,335 Renault Koleos MOT tests pass.
The Koleos passes its MOT 81.8% of the time — well above the average across all Renault models, which sits at 69.5%.
The Renault Koleos has a pass rate of 81.8%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Renault Koleos?
This is the average across every Renault Koleos in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Renault’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Renault Koleos tested at 3–6 years pass 90.4% of the time, compared with just 58.6% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (19) | 19 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 90.4% | 3,708 | 40,487 miles |
| 6–10 years | 85.2% | 1,916 | 57,293 miles |
| 10–15 years | 59.0% | 495 | 113,934 miles |
| 15+ years | 58.6% | 1,197 | 116,556 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Renault Koleos
The most common reason the Renault Koleos fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 42.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 42.7% | Not working |
| Suspension | 42.1% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Brakes | 33.2% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 22.5% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Steering | 17.6% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Visibility | 13.6% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 9.3% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 7.6% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Road Wheels | 1.9% | Fixing missing |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.1% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
Buying a used Renault Koleos: what to check
These checks follow the Renault Koleos’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Renault Koleos comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 85.2% to 59.0%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 79.6% down to 62.8%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 42.7% of failed Renault Koleos MOTs. 33.7% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.5% at 3–6 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 42.1% of failed Renault Koleos MOTs. 33.7% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension, against 1.3% at 3–6 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 33.2% of failed Renault Koleos MOTs. 18.2% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 3.3% at 3–6 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 22.5% of failed Renault Koleos MOTs. 10.3% of tests at 10–15 years failed on tyres, against 3.4% at 3–6 years.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
5. Steering
Recorded in 17.6% of failed Renault Koleos MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 15.2% of tests at 15+ years failed on steering.
The steering should feel precise, without knocks or play, and the car should run straight. Turn to full lock both ways and listen for clunks.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Renault service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Renault models
- Renault Laguna — 63.0% pass rate
- Renault Zoe I — 90.2% pass rate
- Renault Clio RS — 90.3% pass rate
- Renault Megane Scenic — 67.2% pass rate
- Renault Grand Modus — 58.6% pass rate
- Renault Wind — 68.7% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Renault Koleos?
- 81.8% of Renault Koleos MOT tests pass, based on 7,335 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Renault Koleos?
- The most common reason the Renault Koleos fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 42.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Renault Koleos?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Renault Koleos are lights and electrics; suspension; brakes. 33.7% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.5% at 3–6 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Renault Koleos?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; brakes; tyres; steering. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Renault Koleos's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Renault service history guide for how to check and keep one.