Stylish small SUV, avoid early diesels entirely
The Captur is Renault's best-selling model in the UK, based on the Clio platform but with raised ride height and SUV styling. It competes directly with the Peugeot 2008, Nissan Juke, and Ford Puma. Mk1 (2013-2019) models start from around £5,000, while Mk2 (2020+) examples with the newer 1.0/1.3 TCe engines range from £11,800 to £20,000. Reliability is mixed: early models score poorly, but 2016+ petrols achieve 84-90% first MOT pass rates.
We track 7 known issues across the Renault Captur range, with 5 classified as significant. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Renault Captur? Enter the reg to see which of our 7 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
J87 (2013–2022) — Petrol options included the 0.9 TCe, 0.9 Energy TCe, 1.2 TCe, 1.3 TCe, with 1.5 dCi, 1.5 dCi 110 on the diesel side. We track 7 known issues on this generation, with 5 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Drive belt and timing chain wear (£200–£600 to address).
The 1.5 dCi engine suffers from premature transmission joint, belt and chain wear that affects drive to the wheels. MOT data shows this model fails at 10.8 times the national fleet average for transmission component wear, peaking at 40-60k miles. The issue manifests as CV joint boot splits, driveshaft wear, and timing component deterioration. This appears to be related to the diesel engine's torque characteristics stressing the drivetrain components beyond their design limits.
CV joint failure can lead to loss of drive or wheel detachment in extreme cases. Timing component failure can cause valve damage on interference engines. Repair typically involves CV joint replacement, driveshaft renewal, or timing belt/chain service. Complete driveshaft replacement costs £300-600 per side.
Listen for clunking or vibration from underneath when pulling away or changing direction. Check for play in the driveshafts by rocking the car in gear with the handbrake on. Worn CV boots are a telltale sign — look for grease splatter around the inner wheel arch.
The Captur suffers from accelerated suspension bush and joint deterioration, with MOT data showing failure rates up to 8.4 times the national fleet average. The issue affects both front and rear suspension components, with some joints reaching the point where they are likely to become detached - a dangerous failure mode. This appears to be a design weakness in the suspension mounting points and bush material specification, affecting all engine variants.
Worn suspension bushes cause poor handling, uneven tyre wear, and MOT failure. In extreme cases documented by MOT data, joints can become detached leading to loss of steering control or wheel collapse. Complete suspension bush replacement is often required rather than individual components.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The small-displacement TCe turbocharged engines (0.9 and 1.2 litre) suffer from turbocharger failure due to the high stress placed on undersized turbochargers. These engines rely heavily on forced induction to produce adequate power, placing continuous stress on the turbo components. Failure typically manifests as bearing wear, actuator problems, or boost pressure loss. Oil contamination from irregular servicing accelerates wear significantly.
Complete turbo failure results in severe loss of power and potential engine damage from oil starvation or debris ingestion. The car becomes difficult to drive safely, particularly on motorways or hills. Replacement requires a remanufactured or new turbocharger assembly.
During a test drive, check for hesitation, lack of power or unusual whining from the turbo area. Watch for blue or white smoke from the exhaust under hard acceleration. Check the oil condition and service history — turbos rely on clean oil.
The 1.5 dCi diesel engine suffers from diesel particulate filter (DPF) blockage, particularly on vehicles used predominantly for short journeys. The DPF requires regular high-temperature burns to clear accumulated soot, but city driving prevents the exhaust reaching the necessary temperature. Blocked DPFs cause the engine management system to limit power and eventually prevent starting.
A completely blocked DPF will prevent the engine from starting or cause it to enter limp mode with severely reduced power. DPF replacement costs £1,000-2,000. Professional cleaning may restore function temporarily but replacement is often required on high-mileage examples.
Ask about the car's typical usage — short urban journeys prevent DPF regeneration. Check for DPF warning lights and ask about any previous regeneration issues. A forced regeneration at a garage costs far less than a DPF replacement.
The Captur exhibits elevated brake fluid loss and excessive pedal travel issues, with MOT data showing failure rates up to 6.3 times the national fleet average for low brake fluid levels and 3.8 times average for insufficient pedal reserve. This suggests problems with brake line corrosion, flexible hose deterioration, or master cylinder wear. The issue affects both brake effectiveness and poses a significant safety concern if not addressed promptly.
Brake fluid loss can lead to partial or complete brake failure, creating an immediate safety hazard. Excessive pedal travel reduces braking effectiveness and increases stopping distances. Complete brake system inspection and repair is essential for safe operation.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
For the full breakdown of all 7 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Renault Captur common problems page.
Based on 664k real DVSA MOT tests, the Renault Captur fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is reversing lamp not securely attached at 33x the fleet average, followed by service brake pedal has excessive wear or free ... (28x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Renault Captur MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 13k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include timing belt (£350–£500).
See the full Renault Captur service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Renault Captur is a solid choice on the used market, though not without its quirks. The issues we track are well-understood and largely avoidable if you know what to look for. A thorough inspection and complete service history go a long way. 2017-2019 for the Mk1 (post-facelift with improved 1.2 TCe piston rings from 2016, better build quality — first MOT pass rates jumped 5 percentage points over 2015 models). 2021-2023 for the Mk2 (mature CMF-B platform, 1.3 TCe or 1.0 TCe engines without the oil consumption issues, updated infotainment).
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Renault Captur, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 7 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 7 known Renault Captur issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.