2011 Renault Modus 1.5L Diesel · BL60 AHA

A recurring pattern of structural and suspension wear sits at the centre of this Modus's MOT history, with two coil spring failures across consecutive test cycles framing the overall picture. The most recent outcome on 14 January 2026 was a pass with no defects recorded, though this followed a failure the previous day when an offside front coil spring was identified as fractured, alongside two advisories noting nearside headlamp aim was too low. Looking back further, a near-identical event occurred in January 2022 when an offside rear coil spring fractured at the same time as a rear position lamp failed, prompting another failed test. Two fractured coil springs within a four-year window for a vehicle of this age and mileage indicate that the front and rear spring assemblies, and by extension the associated suspension turrets and top mount bearings, should be regarded as service items rather than long-life components. The January 2025 test also flagged a high handbrake and a corroded front subframe, the latter having first appeared as an advisory in January 2024, suggesting that structural corrosion at the front of the vehicle has been gradually progressing rather than appearing as a single isolated event. Mileage accumulation of 97,713 miles across roughly fifteen years equates to around 6,500 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a car of this vintage and category. The testing record is largely consecutive on an annual basis from 2021 onwards, with no prolonged absences from the road that would suggest a long-term lay-up. There is, however, a noticeable gap in the records between January 2021 and January 2022, after which testing resumed in consecutive years through to the present, indicating fairly continuous use. Steady annual mileage of this nature generally translates into consistent wear on friction components such as brake pads and discs, as well as steady degradation of rubber-mounted items like anti-roll bar bushes and wishbone bushes, and the MOT data bears this out, with brake disc wear advisories appearing on the front axle in both 2024 and 2025. For a prospective buyer, the priority checks should mirror the components the MOT history has consistently flagged. On a test drive, listen carefully for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, as this would suggest tired drop links, wishbone bushes, or top mounts, while any sagging at the front or rear corners when stationary would point toward weakened springs that are close to the failure mode already recorded twice. The front brake discs should be inspected for lipping, hot spots, and a corrugated or scored surface, and the brake pedal should feel firm without juddering under firm application, since fluctuating brake efficiency has been noted on the front axle previously. The handbrake should be tested on an incline and should hold within a reasonable number of clicks, given the 2025 advisory that it was running high. The corrosion trail on the front subframe is arguably the most important area to scrutinise in person, as it has now appeared at two consecutive tests in 2024 and 2025 and could progress into a serious weakening category if left unmonitored. A physical inspection on a ramp or with the wheels removed is advisable, paying particular attention to the subframe mounting points, suspension arm attachments, and any brake pipe routing that passes close to corroded metal, since brake pipe corrosion would be an immediate failure item. Both headlamp units should be checked for aim and clarity, as the January 2026 failure noted both nearside lamps were set too low, which can also indicate tired adjustment mechanisms. Finally, all four tyres should be examined for sidewall cracking and tread deterioration, given the recurring advisories on rear tyres in 2022, and the windscreen inspected for any chips within the driver's line of sight, as this defect has been recorded as a minor at every test since 2022.