2014 Renault Megane 1.5L Diesel · LM14 FTC

The vehicle achieved a pass on its most recent MOT test dated 24 March 2026, with no defects or advisories recorded at that examination. However, the same date also shows a prior failed test with major defects identified at the nearside front prop shaft CV boot, which was allowing ingress of dirt, and an excessively worn anti-roll bar ball joint, both of which would need to be rectified before the subsequent pass was issued. Looking at the broader history, the maintenance trend appears to be one of persistent rather than acute deterioration. Multiple advisories relating to front shock absorber oil misting have appeared across three consecutive tests from 2022 through 2024, alongside recurring front tyre inner edge wear, a fractured rear coil spring, rear brake pad thinning, and deteriorating CV boots. The pattern suggests a vehicle that has been kept broadly roadworthy but is exhibiting ongoing wear across its suspension, drivetrain, and consumable components, warranting close scrutiny rather than automatic confidence in the clean pass. With a recorded mileage of 140,115 miles over a twelve-year life, this Megane averages approximately 11,676 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a car of its age and not indicative of excessive motorway mileage or extended periods of standing. The mileage progression through the MOT records appears consistent year on year, with no significant gaps that would suggest prolonged inactivity, which reduces the likelihood of issues such as severe brake disc corrosion from standing, seized caliper pistons, or perishing of rubber components due to disuse. That said, the absolute mileage is high for a vehicle of this age, and the cumulative wear on suspension bushes, clutch, engine internals, and gearbox synchros should be considered, particularly given the recurring suspension-related advisories in the test history. The most pressing items to investigate physically on a pre-purchase inspection are the front suspension and drivetrain components flagged in the recent failure. The nearside front anti-roll bar ball joint and drop link should be checked for play by rocking the wheel at twelve and six o'clock, listening for clonking or rattling over speed humps and uneven road surfaces. The CV boot on the nearside front driveshaft, previously noted as deteriorated in 2022 and replaced before the 2026 pass, should be inspected for splits, grease loss, and retaining clip integrity, with the test drive used to listen for clicking or a whining drivetrain noise during full steering lock manoeuvres. The fractured nearside rear coil spring recorded in 2025 should be confirmed as replaced with a quality component, and the corresponding offside rear spring visually inspected for any signs of fatigue cracking, as springs of this age on a high-mileage car commonly fail in pairs. Front tyres wearing on both inner edges, as flagged in the 2025 advisories, suggests potential tracking misalignment, worn suspension bushes, or tired top mounts, so a four-wheel alignment check and physical inspection of the front strut top mounts and lower control arm bushes would be prudent. Additional buyer guidance should focus on items the MOT history does not fully cover. Given the high overall mileage, the timing belt or cam belt replacement interval should be verified against Renault's service schedule, along with evidence of recent cambelt and water pump renewal. Brake discs should be inspected for lipping and surface corrosion, particularly on the rear which has seen pad thinning, and the condition of the rear brake calipers and handbrake mechanism checked for binding due to infrequent use or caliper slider seizure. The repeated advisories concerning front shock absorber oil misting, while still classed as advisories rather than failures, indicate dampers that are beginning to lose sealing integrity; a road test should include assessment of rebound control over undulating surfaces and a check for any nose-dive under braking. Given the vehicle's age, the 12V battery should be load tested, coolant strength verified, brake fluid checked for moisture content due to its hygroscopic nature, and a thorough inspection carried out for any corrosion to the underbody, subframe, and brake lines that might not be fully visible on a standard MOT examination.