Renault G MOT Failures
An analysis of 16,796 real DVSA MOT tests on the Renault G — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: G1 (2011–2015).
Where the Renault G fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Renault G is transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... — this model is 39 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 16,796 MOT tests, 13.15% of all Renault G tests recorded this as a failure.
Bodywork failures usually mean structural corrosion — not cosmetic rust, but rot that affects the car's structural integrity. Check sills, subframes, and chassis rails carefully, especially on older examples.
Other notable weak points include stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o... (8.6x the fleet average), wheel bearings worn (10x the fleet average), obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or... (7.1x the fleet average), and reversing lamp inoperative (16x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Renault G's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 3 categories: Bodywork, Lights & Electrics, Suspension. If you're inspecting a Renault G before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Renault G's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Renault G specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... (39x the average) and wheel bearings worn (10x). stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o... (6.9x) and obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or... (5.0x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Renault G specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are reversing lamp inoperative (16x the average) and transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... (9.8x). anti-roll bar links worn (8.0x) and wheel bearings worn (6.3x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Renault G specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o... (8.6x the average) and obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or... (7.1x). transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... (6.8x) and transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... also appear frequently.
The shift from transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... at lower mileages to stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o... at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Renault G specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
CV joint boot failure (G1) Major
The constant velocity joint protective boots on the driveshafts fail at exceptionally high rates on this model, with MOT data showing failure rates up to 39.4 times the national fleet average. Affects G1; typical independent garage repair cost is £80–£300.
Front wheel bearing wear (G1) Major
Front wheel bearings show excessive wear at 10.3 times the national fleet average, particularly affecting the 1.5L diesel variant. Affects G1; typical independent garage repair cost is £120–£200.
Suspension component wear (G1) Major
Suspension pins, bushes, and joints wear at This encompasses front lower arm bushes, anti-roll bar links, and steering components. Affects G1; typical independent garage repair cost is £80–£400.
Front coil spring failure (G1) Major
Front coil springs fracture at 3.2 times the national average, typically breaking near the bottom coil where corrosion and stress concentrate. Affects G1; typical independent garage repair cost is £120–£250.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Renault G common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Renault G
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Renault G:
Bodywork — check for transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot.... Lights & Electrics — check for stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o..., obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or..., reversing lamp inoperative. Suspension — check for wheel bearings worn, anti-roll bar links worn.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about cv joint boot failure and front wheel bearing wear. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £80. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Renault G?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Renault G MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Renault G?
Based on 16,796 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... — at 39x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o... and wheel bearings worn.
Is the Renault G reliable based on MOT data?
The Renault G has 6 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag cv joint boot failure as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Renault G most commonly fails on stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o... and obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or.... Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... and wheel bearings worn.
How do I check a Renault G's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.