2003 Renault Scenic 1.6L Petrol · CV53 FXL

The vehicle presents a marginal roadworthiness profile, with a maintenance trend showing signs of decline in oversight. While it passed the most recent January 2026 test at 138,331 miles, it failed just three miles prior due to multiple mechanical defects. The presence of an oil leak and an exhaust leak noted in the failure report suggests the engine and sealing components are beginning to age, indicating that the owner is only addressing issues when they trigger an MOT failure rather than performing preventative maintenance. At 23 years old, the 138,331 miles represent an average usage of approximately 6,000 miles per year. This low annual mileage is consistent with a vehicle used sparingly, yet the service history shows a significant gap of 5,769 miles between February 2024 and February 2025. During the 2025 test at 134,584 miles, the tester recorded blue smoke during acceleration, a clear indicator of internal engine wear, likely oil- way or artwork-ring related, which is a concern for a vehicle of this age and mileage. A physical inspection must prioritize the braking system and engine integrity. The January 2026 record flagged both nearside and offside front brake discs as pitted and scored; while they passed, the surface condition suggests the discs are nearing replacement. The buyer should also verify the source of the oil leak to ensure it is a simple gasket seal rather than a more serious internal pressure issue. Given the previous blue smoke emission in 2025, a compression test or a close inspection of the exhaust system is necessary to determine if the engine is nearing terminal wear.