2018 Renault Scenic 1.3L Petrol · BJ68 HRO

The 2018 Renault Scenic currently holds a valid MOT issued on 1 May 2026 at 63,615 miles, but the maintenance picture is mixed. The car failed its prior test on 30 April 2026 at the same recorded mileage, revealing a cluster of faults that suggest a period of neglected upkeep immediately before the pass. A non-functioning nearside headlamp on dipped beam, a failed nearside stop lamp, and excessively worn anti-roll bar linkage ball joint were all rectified within 24 hours, indicating the previous owner addressed only the minimum to secure a pass rather than undertaking thorough preventative maintenance. Two advisories for a minor oil leak and a chipped windscreen carried over from the failure into the pass, meaning these remain live, low-priority items. The trend is not cleanly improving; it shows a reactive repair pattern rather than consistent servicing. The mileage progression reveals a notable gap between October 2023 at 30,848 miles and May 2025 at 53,967 miles, representing roughly 23,000 miles covered in approximately 19 months. This equates to around 14,500 miles per year during that window, well above the car’s overall average of roughly 7,952 miles per year. Such a spike points to heavier use over that period, which typically accelerates wear on consumables, suspension bushes, and braking components. The jump from 53,967 miles in May 2025 to 63,615 miles by April 2026 adds another 9,648 miles in under a year, confirming sustained higher-than-average annual use in recent times. The MOT record itself is sparse, with no tests logged between late 2023 and mid-2025, so maintenance during that interval cannot be verified. A buyer should pay close attention to the front suspension and steering linkage. The offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint was flagged for slight play in May 2025 and then recorded as excessively worn on the nearside front by April 2026. This progression across both sides within a year suggests the entire front anti-roll bar linkage assembly is fatiguing and warrants inspection for play, perishing boots, and corrosion. Tyre condition has been a recurring concern. Both rear tyres were below the 1.6mm legal minimum in April 2026, and prior tests show repeated advisories for tyre wear and perishing. This pattern indicates the car may have spent periods stationary or been driven on underinflated tyres, increasing the risk of sidewall damage. A thorough check of all four tyres, including sidewalls and date codes, is essential. The persistent oil leak advisory, present in both the April 2026 failure and the May 2026 pass, should not be dismissed. Even if currently minor, it could stem from a deteriorating rocker cover gasket, oil filter housing seal, or turbo oil feed pipe, all common on this engine family. A physical inspection for fresh oil misting around the engine bay and a check of the exhaust manifold area for staining would clarify the source. The damaged windscreen, also carried forward as an advisory, may worsen with thermal cycling and should be assessed against MOT retest criteria. Overall, the record reflects a vehicle that has been used harder in recent years and corrected only when legally required, so a pre-purchase inspection focusing on front suspension integrity, tyre condition, and oil leak origin is strongly recommended.