2011 Renault Grand Scenic 1.6L Petrol · ML11 VDM

A pattern of front-end and under-bonnet wear dominates the recorded history of this Renault Grand Scenic, with brake discs, tyres, and steering components surfacing as recurring concerns across multiple tests. The most recent assessment on 26 January 2026 documented the offside front CV boots as severely deteriorated on both the inner and outer joints, alongside a reduction in the offside front position lamp light intensity and a non-excessive oil leak. Earlier tests reinforce this theme: a dangerous nearside front tyre was recorded on 19 January 2021 with tread below 1.6mm, and a major failure was issued for excessive play in the offside front track rod end ball joint at the same examination. Front brake disc wear was noted in 2019, 2020, and 2021, with the pitted or scored condition appearing on both sides and persisting as an advisory across consecutive tests. Although the 2022 test recorded no defects and the vehicle has passed its last two examinations, the accumulated advisories point to a chassis and front suspension area that warrants close physical scrutiny rather than reliance on the recent pass alone. At 120,798 miles over roughly fifteen years, the vehicle averages around 8,053 miles annually, which is broadly consistent with typical family use. However, the testing pattern reveals a significant operational gap: a pass was recorded on 15 February 2022, but no further MOT entries appear until the 2025 and 2026 tests, covering an absence of roughly three years of recorded mileage accumulation. Given that only around 3,000 to 4,000 additional miles can be inferred between consecutive annual tests in recent years, this extended void suggests either a prolonged off-road period or sustained light use. The mileage spread itself is not unusual for the age and class, but the discontinuity in testing is a legitimate area for enquiry, as extended standing can accelerate corrosion in brake components, drying of CV boot rubber, and degradation of oil seals. Given the recorded advisories, a physical inspection should focus on the front suspension and drivetrain first. The severely deteriorated offside front CV boots noted in January 2026 are a priority: listen on the test drive for clicking or knocking noises during full-lock turns at low speed, and inspect the boots themselves for splits, grease loss, or contamination, as replacement is considerably cheaper before joint failure occurs. With multiple advisories for pitted and scored front brake discs across several years, the buyer should feel for pedal judder under firm braking and check for any lipped ridges on the disc edges, as the discs may now be approaching the minimum thickness requiring replacement alongside fresh pads. The earlier track rod end failure and the persistent oil leak advisory indicate that the steering rack, tie bars, and engine sealing should be examined for seepage or play. Finally, the recurring minor lighting and wiper defects merit practical attention rather than alarm. The position lamp intensity reduction and the repeated direction indicator discolouration advisories suggest ageing bulb holders or corroded earth connections, which are straightforward to rectify but worth confirming are functioning correctly during any viewing. The near-bald tyre episode in 2021 and the close-to-limit advisories in subsequent tests indicate that tyre wear on this vehicle can be uneven or rapid, so a careful check of all four tyres for inner-edge wear, which often signals misalignment or worn suspension bushes, is advisable. With the vehicle now over fifteen years old, a thorough underside inspection for surface corrosion on subframe, brake pipes, and suspension arms is prudent, even though no structural defects have yet been recorded in the test history.