Renault Grand Modus MOT Failures
An analysis of 72,647 real DVSA MOT tests on the Renault Grand Modus — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: GM1 (2005–2012).
Where the Renault Grand Modus fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Renault Grand Modus is light unit fault — this model is 47 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 72,647 MOT tests, 4.88% of all Renault Grand Modus tests recorded this as a failure.
Lighting faults are usually straightforward to fix (bulbs, connectors, earth points) but can indicate deeper wiring issues on older cars. Check all lights including fog lamps, number plate lights, and dashboard warning lights.
Other notable weak points include seat mounting fault (32x the fleet average), emissions failure (95x the fleet average), brake pedal anti-slip provision missing, loose ... (11x the fleet average), and stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o... (30x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Renault Grand Modus'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 6 categories: Lights & Electrics, Seatbelts & Airbags, Exhaust & Emissions, Brakes, Suspension and others. If you're inspecting a Renault Grand Modus 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 Grand Modus'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 Grand Modus specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (95x the average) and stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o... (30x). seat mounting fault (28x) and track rod ends worn (21x) 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 Grand Modus specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (56x the average) and light unit fault (47x). seat mounting fault (32x) and stop lamp adversely affected by the operation o... (19x) 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 Grand Modus specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are seat mounting fault (27x the average) and emissions failure (26x). stop lamp adversely affected by the operation o... (21x) and light unit fault (18x) also appear frequently.
The shift from emissions failure at lower mileages to seat mounting fault 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 Grand Modus specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Excessive smoke emissions (1.5 dCi diesel) Major
This indicates problems with the diesel particulate filter (DPF) system, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve contamination, or injector wear causing incomplete combustion. Affects GM1; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£800.
Premature ball joint wear Major
Steering ball joints on Grand Modus models fail at rates up to 26.2 times higher than the national fleet average, with failures documented from as low as 20,000 miles. Affects GM1; typical independent garage repair cost is £120–£200.
Coil spring failure Major
Coil springs fail at rates up to 13.3 times higher than the national average, with documented failures from 20,000 miles across all variants. Affects GM1; typical independent garage repair cost is £80–£150.
Suspension component corrosion Major
Suspension components show corrosion damage at rates up to 13.5 times higher than the fleet average. Affects GM1; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£400.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Renault Grand Modus common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Renault Grand Modus
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Renault Grand Modus:
Lights & Electrics — check for light unit fault, stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o..., stop lamp adversely affected by the operation o.... Seatbelts & Airbags — check for seat mounting fault. Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Brakes — check for brake pedal anti-slip provision missing, loose ....
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about excessive smoke emissions and premature ball joint wear. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £300. 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 Grand Modus?
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Renault Grand Modus MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Renault Grand Modus?
Based on 72,647 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is light unit fault — at 47x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include seat mounting fault and emissions failure.
Is the Renault Grand Modus reliable based on MOT data?
The Renault Grand Modus has 14 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag excessive smoke emissions 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 Grand Modus most commonly fails on seat mounting fault and emissions failure. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are emissions failure and stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o....
How do I check a Renault Grand Modus'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.