2016 Renault Kadjar 1.6L Diesel · FG66 YOO

The defining mechanical story of this 2016 Renault Kadjar is a rear brake system that reached a seriously weakened condition under the dangerous defect category in September 2022, with both rear discs recorded as compromised alongside brake pads worn below 1.5 mm. This was followed in June 2023 by another dangerous failure on the front axle, where pads were again below 1.5 mm and the front brake disc was contaminated, and a third failure in May 2025 for a nearside rear tyre cut exposing the ply or cords. Between these failures the vehicle has passed tests cleanly, including the most recent on 5 May 2026 with no defects recorded, so the most current snapshot is favourable but it should be read against a pattern of brake-related and tyre-related failures over a four-year window, plus an advisory from May 2024 noting that the nearside rear brake pads were wearing thin again. With 76,967 miles recorded across roughly ten years, the Kadjar has covered about 7,700 miles annually, which sits within normal expectations for a car of this age and indicates neither prolonged storage nor exceptionally hard motoring. The mileage is broadly consistent across tests where it can be cross-referenced, with no obvious gaps in the testing record that would suggest the vehicle was off the road for extended periods. This moderate usage rate means wear on suspension, bushings, and drivetrain components should be in line with a typical mid-life family SUV rather than the accelerated wear seen on high-mileage examples, but the brake-related failures at moderate mileage underline that consumable replacement intervals on this particular vehicle have, at times, been left until components were seriously deteriorated rather than addressed at advisory stage. Given that the rear brake discs were recorded as seriously weakened in 2022, both front and rear pads fell below the 1.5 mm dangerous threshold on separate occasions, and the nearside rear pads were flagged as wearing thin again in 2024, a prospective buyer should treat the braking system as the priority inspection area. On a test drive, listen for any grinding or scraping from the front or rear corners on light application, feel for a soft or spongy pedal suggesting air or fluid issues, and check for judder under braking that would point to warped or unevenly worn discs. Visually inspect the rear discs through the wheels for a deep lip on the outer edge and any scoring or pitting, and confirm that the rear pads have substantial material left; if the vehicle has covered significant mileage since the 2024 advisory without documented pad replacement, budget for that work. The May 2025 tyre failure warrants attention to all four tyres and the spare if present, as a cut deep enough to expose ply or cords indicates the rubber was compromised and there may be related ageing or impact damage on other wheels. Check the sidewalls carefully for cracks, bulges, or kerbing damage, and verify that the tread depth is well above the legal 1.6 mm minimum, ideally above 3 mm across the central two-thirds for sensible wet performance. Beyond the flagged items, inspect the underside for any oil leaks from the engine or gearbox, examine the coil springs and suspension arms for cracks given the vehicle's age and mileage, and pay particular attention to corrosion around the rear brake calipers and flexible brake hoses, as these areas deteriorate with age on French SUVs of this generation and would explain the pattern of rear brake wear if the calipers have been binding.