2014 Renault Scenic 1.5L Diesel · OU64 OOC

A twelve year old Renault Scenic carrying a faultless MOT ledger across five documented tests, the most recent of which on 30 July 2025 concluded with a clean pass and no advisories, is an uncommon but reassuring find. The intervening record follows an identical pattern, with passes on 23 August 2023 and 2 September 2022 both free of recorded defects, and a single earlier entry on 13 August 2024 listed as a failed test, yet also bearing no defects in the advisory or failure categories. The absence of any recorded corrosion on the underbody, suspension components, brake lines, or exhaust system is particularly notable for a Renault of this generation, given the propensity for subframe and rear axle corrosion that frequently surfaces on Scenics of similar vintage. The clean sheet suggests the vehicle has either been kept in particularly benign conditions or has been subject to remedial attention before each test. A recorded mileage of 65,211 miles spread across twelve years equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 5,400 miles, well below the average for a family crossover of this type and substantially lower than what would be expected from a car originally purchased for school runs, commuting, or longer touring. There are no mileage gaps in the documented test history that would suggest prolonged off-road storage, nor are there any sudden increments between consecutive tests that might indicate a recent long journey or clock anomaly. The implication mechanically is that wear-sensitive items such as the brake discs, pads, clutch, and turbocharger have all been subject to relatively gentle service cycles, although low annual mileage introduces its own considerations regarding the condition of rubber components, drive belts, coolant, and brake fluid, which degrade with calendar age regardless of distance covered. For a prospective buyer, the priority areas on inspection are those commonly associated with the Scenic platform, even though none have yet been flagged in the MOT record. Pay particular attention to the rear axle trailing arm bushes and front wishbone rear bushes, which on this model are known to split and perish; a firm press on each corner of the bodywork while stationary should produce no more than a single controlled rebound, and any clonking or knocking transmitted through the body over speed humps or rough tarmac would indicate worn suspension linkages. The front lower wishbones, anti-roll bar drop links, and shock absorber top mounts warrant a manual check for play, while the coil springs should be inspected for any sign of sagging at the rear, particularly on the offside. Uneven tyre wear across the axle would point towards misalignment of the rear beam, a known issue on Scenics and one that can manifest as steering instability at motorway speeds. During the test drive, listen carefully for any clonking from the front suspension over broken road surfaces and feel for vagueness or a delayed response from the steering, both of which can suggest worn front strut cartridges or top mount bearings. The brake pedal should feel firm and progressive, with no judder under heavy application that would indicate warped front discs, and the handbrake should hold firmly on an incline without excessive travel. With the engine cold, listen for any auxiliary belt rattle on first start, which would suggest a worn tensioner or idler pulley, and once at operating temperature, check for any steam from under the bonnet or sweet coolant smell that could point towards a failing thermostat housing or coolant rail, both known weak points on the 1.5 and 1.6 diesel variants. Finally, verify that the digital instrument panel and climate control functions operate without intermittent faults, as the Scenic's cabin electronics are prone to age-related failure and can be costly to rectify.