Generations
Wind — Renault Wind
2010–2013
1.2 TCe, 1.6 16V
Top issues to watch for
The most serious Renault Wind problems ranked by severity. We track 5 known issues — here are the ones you need to know about first.
Dangerous
Steering ball joint excessive wear
The Renault Wind exhibits premature wear of steering ball joints at significantly higher rates than the fleet average. MOT data shows failure rates 41 times higher than typical vehicles, particularly affecting the 1.1L variants. The ball joints connect the steering track rods to the wheel hubs and are critical for maintaining steering control. Failure can result in sudden loss of steering, making this a dangerous defect that requires immediate attention when detected.
What happens if ignoredBall joint failure can cause sudden loss of steering control, potentially resulting in a serious accident. The wheel may become detached from the steering system entirely. Worn ball joints also cause rapid and uneven tyre wear, poor handling, and steering instability. Replacement typically requires wheel alignment afterwards.
Independent garage
£150–£250
Specialist
£180–£300
Main dealer
£250–£400
Parts only
£40–£80
Major
Coil spring fracture or weakening
The Renault Wind shows abnormally high rates of coil spring failure, with MOT data indicating failure rates 14.1 times higher than the fleet average. This affects both engine variants but is particularly severe on 1.6L models. Springs can fracture completely or suffer significant weakening, causing the car to sit lower on the affected corner and compromising handling and safety. The trend is worsening according to recent MOT data.
What happens if ignoredA completely fractured spring can cause the car to sit dangerously low on one corner, affecting steering geometry and potentially causing tyre contact with bodywork. Weakened springs reduce ride comfort, compromise handling, and accelerate wear of shock absorbers and other suspension components. The car remains driveable but handling will be unpredictable.
Independent garage
£200–£350
Specialist
£250–£400
Main dealer
£350–£550
Parts only
£80–£150
Major
Suspension bush and joint wear
Renault Wind models suffer from premature wear of suspension bushes and joints at rates 10.4 times higher than the fleet average. This affects various suspension mounting points including control arm bushes, anti-roll bar links, and subframe mounts. The worsening trend in MOT data suggests this is a persistent problem across the model range that becomes more severe with age and mileage.
What happens if ignoredWorn suspension bushes cause poor handling, excessive tyre wear, and noise. Anti-roll bar link failure can result in unpredictable handling during cornering. Control arm bush failure affects wheel alignment and braking performance. While not immediately dangerous, continued driving with severely worn bushes will accelerate wear of other suspension components.
Independent garage
£150–£300
Specialist
£200–£350
Main dealer
£280–£450
Parts only
£30–£100
Major
Brake disc premature wear and cracking
The Renault Wind exhibits abnormally high rates of brake disc failure, with MOT data showing failure rates 6.3 times higher than the fleet average. Discs can suffer from excessive wear, cracking, or complete fracture at unusually low mileages, with some failures occurring on virtually new cars. This affects both front and rear discs across all engine variants and represents a worsening trend in recent MOT data.
What happens if ignoredSeverely worn or cracked brake discs can fail completely, resulting in total loss of braking on the affected wheel. Even minor disc damage causes reduced braking efficiency, vibration, and accelerated pad wear. Warped discs make the car difficult to stop smoothly and can cause brake fade under repeated use. This is a critical safety issue requiring immediate attention.
Independent garage
£120–£220
Specialist
£150–£280
Main dealer
£200–£350
Parts only
£40–£100
1 more known issues tracked
Including wear items, electrical niggles, and generation-specific problems.
MOT failure hotspots
Based on DVSA MOT test data. These are the items where the Renault Wind fails at a significantly higher rate than the average car.
Track rod ends worn
Steering · 20-40k miles
MOT failure rate: 37x the fleet average
Sample: 2,745 tests
Brake pipes corroded
Brakes · 80-100k miles
MOT failure rate: 33x the fleet average
Sample: 510 tests
Coil springs broken
Suspension · 0-20k miles
MOT failure rate: 25x the fleet average
Sample: 194 tests
Headlight fault
Lights & Electrics · 20-40k miles
MOT failure rate: 18x the fleet average
Sample: 378 tests
Suspension pin, bush or joint worn
Suspension · 20-40k miles
MOT failure rate: 13x the fleet average
Sample: 404 tests
Service brake efficiency below minimum requirement
Brakes · 40-60k miles
MOT failure rate: 11x the fleet average
Sample: 1,958 tests
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Related
Renault Wind reliability FAQs
What are the most common problems with the Renault Wind?
The Renault Wind has 5 known issues across 2 severity levels. The most serious are: Steering ball joint excessive wear.
Is the Renault Wind reliable?
The Renault Wind has 1 dangerous and 4 major known issues. Most can be avoided with a thorough pre-purchase check and full service history.
How much does it cost to fix Renault Wind problems?
Repair costs range widely. The most significant issue (Steering ball joint excessive wear) costs £150–£250 at an independent garage. Minor issues can be under £200. Always get a full inspection before buying.