2017 Renault Kadjar 1.2L Petrol · HS17 GTY

The defining mechanical picture of this 2017 Renault Kadjar is one of curious MOT volatility paired with an absence of recorded defects at every test. Across five DVSA entries spanning 2023 to 2025, the vehicle alternates between pass and fail outcomes on near-identical dates, with the most recent event on 11 August 2025 returning a clean pass, immediately following a failed attempt ten days earlier on 1 August 2025. A similar pattern occurred in August 2024, where a pass and fail were recorded on the same day. Because no specific defects have been captured against any of these outcomes, the anomalies most likely relate to items that can be rectified on the day of test, such as blown bulbs, tyre condition borderline against the legal threshold, or emissions readiness issues on the 1.4 TCe or 1.5 dCi powerplants commonly fitted to this model. While the lack of documented advisories is reassuring on the surface, the repeated fail-pass cycle warrants a degree of scrutiny regarding how the vehicle is prepared for test and whether underlying borderline wear exists that has not been formally recorded. With 82,174 miles on a nine-year-old vehicle, the Kadjar has covered approximately 9,130 miles annually, which sits comfortably within the expected band for a family crossover of this era. There are no extended gaps in the MOT record to suggest prolonged periods off the road, and the consistent year-on-year attendance at test implies the car has remained in regular service. This level of usage is sufficient to keep mechanical consumables cycling through normal wear patterns rather than suffering the rubber degradation, brake corrosion, and oil seal drying that afflict very low mileage or stored vehicles. Conversely, the mileage is not so high as to imply imminent major drivetrain concerns, though clutch, dual-mass flywheel, and turbocharger condition on the petrol versions become increasingly relevant once past the 80,000 mile mark, particularly on the 1.2 and 1.4 TCe units which have known issues with oil consumption and timing chain stretch. Given that no specific component has been flagged historically, the buyer should focus their inspection on the items most commonly found to fail on Kadjars approaching a decade of service. On a test drive, pay particular attention to the suspension for clonks or knocks over uneven surfaces, particularly from the front lower wishbones, anti-roll bar drop links, and rear torsion beam bushes, all of which degrade progressively and can present borderline MOT findings. Listen for any roughness or hesitation from the engine under load, as Renault 1.2 and 1.4 TCe units are known for timing chain rattle on cold start and excessive oil consumption later in life, while the 1.5 dCi should be checked for injector noise and DPF regeneration behaviour on a sustained drive. The braking system should be evaluated carefully given the mileage, with attention to pedal feel for any sponginess suggesting caliper slide pin corrosion, and a visual check of the discs for lipping or corrosion pitting around the outer edge. The steering should be assessed for any vagueness around the straight-ahead position or knocks when turning on full lock, both of which can indicate worn tie rod ends or top mounts. Beneath the vehicle, inspect the exhaust downpipe and flexi joint for any soot staining or blowing sounds, as these are common failure points on higher-mileage examples, and check the underbody, particularly the rear axle and suspension mounting areas, for any surface corrosion that could escalate. Finally, confirm that all bulbs, wipers, and tyres are in serviceable condition, as the back-to-back fail-pass history suggests at least some of these items may have been the deciding factor previously.