2012 Renault Megane 1.5L Diesel · RO62 OFW

A pattern of suspension joint wear runs consistently through this Megane's MOT history and represents the defining mechanical story of the vehicle. The 2024 test flagged play in both front anti-roll bar linkage ball joints and both track rod end ball joints, and the most recent assessment in June 2025 again noted play at an offside front suspension ball joint alongside worn inner suspension pins or bushes on both sides at the front. Within the same 2025 visit, the car also failed on multiple lighting issues: both front position lamps out, the nearside dipped beam inoperative, offside headlamp aim too high, and a faulty windscreen washer. Two years earlier in August 2022, a more serious brake problem was recorded, with the offside rear brake pads noted as dangerously thin at under 1.5 mm, accompanied by a pitted or scored offside rear brake disc and a binding offside rear service brake. Taken together, the record shows a chassis and braking system approaching fourteen years old that is beginning to demand attention across several wear items simultaneously. The recorded mileage of 141,718 miles across roughly fourteen years equates to an annual accumulation of around 10,100 miles, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age. There are no extended gaps in the testing history and no sudden jumps in odometer readings between tests, indicating the car has been in continuous road use rather than laid up for long periods. This kind of steady, year-round usage means the suspension components, braking hardware, and steering linkages have been subjected to normal on-road wear and tear rather than the deterioration associated with long stationary periods, but it also means consumables such as brake pads, discs, tyres, and bushes have done substantial work over the car's life. For a prospective buyer, the steering and front suspension advisories are the priority items to investigate on a physical inspection. Both track rod ends were flagged for play in 2024 and have had another year of use since, so any clonking from the front wheels when turning at low speed, vagueness in the steering response, or uneven tyre wear across the front pair would warrant further investigation. The front inner suspension component wear noted in 2025, combined with the recurring anti-roll bar linkage ball joint advisories, suggests the bushes and drop links should be checked by hand for free play with the wheels off the ground. On a test drive, listen for knocking or rattling over speed bumps and uneven road surfaces, and feel for any wandering or pulling in the steering that might indicate worn joints have progressed since the last test. The braking system history also deserves close attention. The dangerous offside rear brake pad reading in 2022 and the pitted rear disc suggest the rear calipers or carrier mechanism should be inspected for seizing, and the binding offside rear service brake noted in 2021 may indicate a partially stuck caliper slide or handbrake mechanism. On the road, any feeling of rear brake drag when releasing the accelerator, a tendency for the rear wheels to lock under firm braking, or a pulling sensation to one side under braking would be consistent with these recorded issues. The lighting and washer failures from the same June 2025 visit are minor in isolation but point to a general lack of recent routine servicing, so checking that all bulbs, washers, wipers, and basic fluid levels are functioning correctly is worthwhile before purchase.