2005 Renault Scenic MOT pass rate: 56.5% (2,766 tests)
Is the 2005 Scenic getting worse?
Pass rate of 2005-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 56.7% -7.5 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 55.0% -9.3 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 58.6% -6.7 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2005 Scenic
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1,345 | 29.8% |
| 2 | Suspension | 867 | 19.2% |
| 3 | Brakes | 845 | 18.7% |
| 4 | Tyres | 332 | 7.4% |
| 5 | Body, chassis, structure | 293 | 6.5% |
| 6 | Steering | 280 | 6.2% |
All Scenic years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1,948 | 58.1% | -6.1 pts | 55,997 |
| 2005 (this page) | 2,766 | 56.5% | -7.9 pts | 64,152 |
| 2006 | 6,274 | 57.8% | -6.6 pts | 91,456 |
| 2007 | 9,108 | 57.6% | -7.5 pts | 90,916 |
| 2008 | 7,816 | 57.2% | -8.0 pts | 91,020 |
| 2009 | 5,708 | 60.3% | -6.2 pts | 96,296 |
| 2010 | 17,873 | 59.9% | -7.5 pts | 98,467 |
| 2011 | 12,217 | 61.2% | -8.0 pts | 88,796 |
| 2012 | 7,864 | 63.0% | -8.2 pts | 84,023 |
| 2013 | 8,612 | 62.8% | -10.6 pts | 76,572 |
| 2014 | 9,374 | 64.2% | -11.7 pts | 71,868 |
| 2015 | 9,055 | 71.1% | -7.6 pts | 62,238 |
| 2016 | 3,183 | 77.7% | -3.7 pts | 51,832 |
| 2017 | 3,249 | 81.9% | -2.1 pts | 45,162 |
| 2018 | 1,713 | 84.8% | -1.6 pts | 38,033 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Renault Scenic years to avoid.
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FAQs
Is a 2005 Renault Scenic reliable?
2005-registered examples passed 56.5% of their MOT tests (2,766 tests, 2023–2025), -7.9 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 21 years old with a median 64,152 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2005 Scenic?
The median tested example shows 64,152 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2005 Scenic?
In this cohort petrols pass 57.5% of tests against 53.6% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.