2018 Renault Kadjar 1.2L Petrol · YA18 HGP

The defining mechanical story across the MOT history of this 2018 Renault Kadjar is a clear and persistent focus on front-end wear, particularly affecting the braking and suspension components, with the most recent test on 28 May 2026 passing but flagging bilateral wear to the front lower suspension arm inner forward pins or bushes. Although both the 2025 and 2023 tests passed with no recorded defects, the 2025 pass was achieved only after the same visit logged a Dangerous failure for an outboard front brake pad that had worn below 1.5 mm thickness, a finding severe enough to render the vehicle unsafe to drive. Prior to that, the 2024 test drew attention to thinning front inner brake pads and a nearside front tyre worn close to the legal limit on its edge, while 2022 and 2021 advisories recorded similar edge-wear concerns on both front and rear tyres. Taken together, the pattern shows a vehicle that has consistently consumed front brake material and front-end rubber components, with the latest advisory suggesting suspension linkage deterioration is now joining that established wear narrative. Recorded mileage of 59,213 miles over eight years equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 7,400 miles, which sits broadly within typical parameters for a car of this age and segment. There are no significant gaps in the annual testing cadence between 2021 and 2026, indicating the vehicle has remained in continuous road use rather than being laid up for extended periods, which removes the specific concerns around dormant corrosion, brake seizure, or stale fluids that accompany long off-road intervals. However, the steady annual mileage combined with the recurring front-end advisories suggests the consumable wear recorded is consistent with active urban and mixed driving rather than low-effort use, and mechanical sympathy going forward will depend on whether the suspension bushes flagged in 2026 have since deteriorated further. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection points are the front lower suspension arms and their inner forward bushes, the components specifically called out on the latest advisory. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension when traversing speed humps, driveway kerbs, or pothole edges, and feel for any vagueness or delay in steering response, particularly over uneven surfaces where worn bushes can allow the wheel to momentarily lose its toe setting. The front brakes warrant equal scrutiny: with a Dangerous-level pad failure recorded only a year before the latest test, the discs should be measured for wear lip and surface corrosion, and the caliper slide pins and guide mechanisms checked for binding, which on Renault products of this era is a known contributor to uneven pad wear. A firm brake pedal with no excessive travel, and no pulling to one side under heavy braking, would be reassuring. Finally, the recurring front and rear tyre edge-wear advisories between 2021 and 2024 suggest that wheel alignment geometry should be verified before purchase, particularly camber and toe settings, as sustained edge wear can also indicate worn suspension components rather than simply inflation or driving style. During a road test, the vehicle should track straight without steering pull, and the steering wheel should sit centred when driving on a flat road, as deviations can highlight the same suspension wear flagged at the most recent MOT. Given the Dangerous brake failure on record, it is prudent to budget for a comprehensive front brake overhaul including pads, discs, and caliper inspection, alongside a quotation for replacement of the front lower suspension arms or bushes, before committing to purchase.