2017 Renault Megane 1.2L Petrol · OW66 NNH

A pattern of recurring front-axle advisories shapes the roadworthiness profile of this 2017 Renault Megane, with the most recent test on 26 January 2026 passing but flagging inner-edge front tyre wear on both sides together with corrosion on both front suspension arms. The front-end theme actually dates back through the record: a 2020 advisory noted nearside front tyre wear on the inner edge close to the legal limit, a 2025 advisory recorded slight inner edge wear on both front tyres, and the 2026 test escalated this to close-to-legal-limit inner edge wear on both nearside and offside inner front tyres while additionally recording corrosion on both front suspension arms. With five clean passes from 2021 through 2025 sitting alongside this accumulating front-axle advisory cluster, the trend is one of gradual wear becoming more pronounced at the most recent test rather than a sudden deterioration. There have been no failures or items recorded as dangerous, major, or structural, but the concentration of advisories on the same components across multiple consecutive tests is the defining mechanical characteristic of this vehicle. Against an age of approximately nine years, the recorded mileage of 27,562 miles equates to an average accumulation of around 3,062 miles per year, which is notably low for the vehicle's age and well below typical annual mileage for a family hatchback of this type. There are no testing gaps, no periods off the road recorded, and no sudden mileage jumps between successive tests, suggesting either genuinely light use or extended periods of stationary storage. Mechanically, low annual mileage of this kind typically means the engine, transmission, and drivetrain components have experienced limited thermal cycling and load, which can preserve internal components but also allows for the degradation of items that suffer from prolonged standing, such as brake discs surface corroding, suspension bushes stiffening or seizing, tyre sidewalls developing flat spots or perishing, and underbody corrosion establishing itself on unprotected ferrous components. The advisories actually recorded align directly with that pattern: inner-edge tyre wear and suspension arm corrosion are both consistent with a car that has seen light but not entirely regular use. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection points are the front suspension assemblies and the front tyres, given that these are the only components to have attracted advisories across the recorded test history. On a test drive, listen for clonks, knocks, or creaks from the front end over speed humps, potholes, and uneven road surfaces, as corroded suspension arms and their associated bushes can generate distinctive impacts and may permit excessive wheel movement under load. With the vehicle jacked, the front arms, drop links, anti-roll bar mounts, and ball joints should be physically checked for play, cracking, or advanced rust, particularly around the arm-to-subframe mounting points. Pay particular attention to the inner edges of both front tyres during a visual inspection and confirm that any replacements are of the correct size, load rating, and speed index, since recurring inner-edge wear can also indicate tracking misalignment or worn front strut top mounts rather than purely age-related deterioration. The braking system, steering feel, and underbody corrosion should also be examined in more detail than the MOT record alone would normally demand. On the test drive, assess the steering for any pulling to one side, vagueness through the straight-ahead position, or inconsistent self-centring, as corroded front suspension arms can subtly alter wheel geometry even where structural integrity remains within advisory limits. The footbrake should feel firm and progressive without any judder, binding, or excessive pedal travel, particularly because lightly used vehicles can suffer from corroded or glazed front brake discs that only become apparent under sustained braking. Finally, with the vehicle raised or viewed from beneath on a ramp, inspect the front subframe, mounting points, brake pipes, and flexible brake hoses for any surface rust or corrosion beyond the level already recorded on the arms, given that the advisory pattern indicates this Megane is at a stage where front-end corrosion is beginning to establish itself and warrants close monitoring at each annual test going forward.