2011 Renault Modus 1.6L Petrol · MJ61 AEC

The 1.6 petrol Modus typically returns 35–40 mpg in mixed driving, giving a fuel cost of roughly £1,400–£1,700 per year at current prices for 8,000 miles. Road tax is £35–£190 annually depending on the exact CO2 band, and insurance sits in group 7–9E, so expect £350–£500 per year for an average driver.

Maintenance costs are modest in absolute terms but parts availability for the Modus is dwindling — it was discontinued in 2012 and parts are increasingly sourced from breakers. Budget £400–£600 per year for routine servicing and wear-and-tear items, with a £200–£400 contingency for the suspension and brake work flagged in the MOT history. Estimated annual running cost is £1,200–£1,600.

Prioritise a physical inspection of the front suspension: the nearside front lower ball joint has been flagged with slight play in 2023 and 2024, then failed outright in 2025 with 'excessively worn' — push and rock the wheel by hand to detect any clonking or movement. Check the offside front ball joint equally, as wear tends to be asymmetric rather than isolated. Also inspect the rear brake pads and discs, as the 2025 failure recorded pads below 1.5mm and the 2024 pass noted pitted front discs with a 'considerable lip'.

Inspect both front tyres for tread depth and even wear — uneven wear can mask suspension or geometry problems. Examine the rear position lamp and all bulbs, as the offside rear lamp was not working at the 2025 test. Finally, with the engine running, check for oil leaks: the most recent pass noted an oil leak (noted as not excessive) under item 8.4.1 (a) (i), so look for drips on the drive and residue around the sump, cam cover, and rocker gasket.