2004 Renault Scenic 1.6L Petrol · FP54 FOC

A twenty-two-year-old Renault Scenic with 135,254 miles on the odometer presents a roadworthiness profile defined by a cluster of recurring advisories centred on the suspension and steering geometry, along with two notable brake-related failures. The most recent test on 1 July 2025 recorded a pass but flagged corroded suspension components at both the front and rear, continuing a pattern first observed in 2024 when play was detected in the nearside front steering rack inner joint alongside steering wheel free play. The earlier 2024 failure centred on parking brake efficiency below requirements, and a July 2023 failure recorded both rear brake discs as significantly and obviously worn, with corroded rear brake pipes noted across both 2023 visits. The trajectory therefore suggests an older vehicle where corrosion-prone components, particularly those associated with the underbody, braking system and front suspension, have become the dominant concern rather than any single isolated defect. The latest pass must be read against this backdrop of repeated advisories and two separate failures rather than treated as evidence of a fault-free vehicle. Annual mileage of approximately 6,148 miles is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age, indicating steady but unremarkable usage rather than heavy commercial-style accumulation or extended periods standing off the road. The MOT history shows continuous annual testing from at least 2023 onwards with no multi-year gaps, suggesting the vehicle has remained in regular use throughout the recorded period. At this mileage and age, consumables such as brake discs, pads, tyres and suspension bushes will have been subjected to many service cycles, and the recorded defects align with this expected wear profile. The mileage context is therefore not unusual in itself, but it does confirm that the corrosion and component wear observed in the tests is consistent with genuine age-related deterioration rather than the sort of deterioration that might be accelerated by exceptionally high annual use. A prospective buyer should focus their inspection on the specific components the DVSA records have flagged. The 2025 advisory concerning corroded suspension components front and rear warrants a close look at the front wishbones, drop links, anti-roll bar bushes, rear axle bushes and coil springs for any surface rust, cracking or perished rubber. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly over speed humps and potholes, and feel for any vagueness or wandering from the steering, which would corroborate the previously recorded steering rack inner joint play. With the 2024 steering wheel free play also noted, any excess rotational movement before the front wheels respond should be treated as a likely renewal requirement for the rack or its mounting bushes. The braking system history demands equal attention, particularly given the 2023 disc failure and the 2024 parking brake failure. Both rear brake discs were previously deemed significantly worn, so the current state of the rear discs and pads should be physically inspected for lipping, scoring, or thickness below the manufacturer minimum. The corroded rear brake pipes flagged in 2023 should be checked along their full length for pitting, rust bloom, or any seepage of brake fluid, especially at unions and along the underbody sections where road salt accumulates. On a test drive, the parking brake should hold the vehicle on a moderate incline without the lever reaching its travel limit, and any pulling to one side under firm braking would indicate seized caliper slides or uneven pad wear. Finally, given the headlamp lens advisories from 2023, confirm that both headlamps now produce an even, well-aligned beam pattern without significant scatter from hazy or pitted polycarbonate lenses.