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What to check: Renault Laguna

Ranked across all years of the Renault Laguna, from its own MOT record and from what owners report. Tick it off at the car.

From this model's MOT record

The physical checks its own defect data says are worth your time, most telling first.

Bushes and ball jointsRuns high on this modelDrive slowly over broken tarmac with the windows down and listen for clonks from either end. Back at the car, have someone rock the steering wheel while you rest a hand on each front wheel; play you can feel through the tyre is a worn joint.Recorded on 20.2% of tests at age 10-15 · class average 9.0%

Brake pipes underneathRuns high on this modelFollow the metal brake lines with a torch where they run along the sills and over the rear axle. White crust or flaking metal means they are corroding, and the online MOT history usually shows the same advisory creeping up for years before the fail.Recorded on 17.4% of tests at age 10-15 · class average 6.2%

Coil springsRuns high on this modelLook through the wheel spokes at the bottom coil of each spring; when springs snap it is usually there, and the break is visible. Step back and check the car sits level too. A dropped corner is often a broken spring.Recorded on 13.6% of tests at age 10-15 · class average 3.2%

Lights and horn walkroundRuns high on this modelWith a helper, run every light: dipped, main beam, indicators, brake lights including the high-level one, reverse, fog, and the horn. On newer cars a dead LED section can mean replacing the whole lamp unit rather than a bulb.Recorded on 11.2% of tests at age 10-15 · class average 3.5%

Rubber boots and gaitersRuns high on this modelOn full steering lock, look in behind each front wheel at the concertina rubber boots on the driveshafts and steering rack. Splits, or grease flung around the arch, mean dirt is getting into a joint that costs far more than the boot protecting it.Recorded on 7.0% of tests at age 10-15 · class average 1.4%

Headlamp lensesRuns high on this modelCheck for condensation inside the headlamps and for cloudy or yellowed lenses. Both attract MOT trouble, and moisture inside a sealed LED unit generally means a whole new lamp.Recorded on 6.5% of tests at age 10-15 · class average 1.3%

DampersRuns high on this modelLook for oil misting on the damper body behind each wheel, then push down hard on each corner of the car. It should settle in one bounce. A floaty or crashy ride on the test drive is the same fault felt from the driver's seat.Recorded on 5.2% of tests at age 10-15 · class average 2.7%

Worth doing on any used car

These judge the seller's upkeep rather than the model.

Tyres, all fourCheck the tread across the full width of each tyre, inner edge included, and look for cracking and mismatched brands. A set of decent tyres is £500 or more on most cars, which makes this the easiest money to take off a price. If the pressure warning light is on, budget for sensors too.Recorded on 30.3% of tests at age 10-15 · class average 20.9%

Pads and discsRuns high on this modelLook through the wheel spokes at the brake disc. A pronounced lip on its outer edge, or a rusty and scored face, means discs and pads are due all round, a few hundred pounds on most cars. A haggling point rather than a reason to walk away.Recorded on 29.9% of tests at age 10-15 · class average 11.4%

Windscreen and wipersScan the glass in daylight for chips, especially in the driver's line of sight where even a small one can fail the MOT. Run the washers and check the wipers clear without smearing.Recorded on 3.8% of tests at age 10-15 · class average 2.6%

Because of what owners report

Drawn from the owner reports rather than the MOT data. These are the model-specific ones.

Push down hard on each corner and listen for clonks, and check the front dampers for oily weeping.Knocking or misted dampers point to the worn bushes and springs behind the Laguna's suspension advisories.

On a diesel, ask for cambelt (timing belt) service history and a receipt, not just a verbal assurance.No proof of a recent cambelt change on a dCi past 60k miles is a real risk of a snapped belt wrecking the engine.

Operate central locking from the key fob and from inside on every door, and watch the dash for warning lights that come and go.A door that won't lock or random warning lights are the classic signs of a UCH or wiring fault.

Take a diesel on a longer test drive including some motorway-speed running, not just around the block.Loss of power, smoke on acceleration or a sudden limp mode points to a blocked EGR or DPF.

Sniff the footwell and check for a permanently misted windscreen even with the blower on.A sweet or curry-like smell and a screen that won't clear means the heater matrix is leaking coolant.

On an automatic, select reverse and check the reverse lights work, then try a smooth take-off from a stop.Reverse lights not working or hesitant gear engagement suggests a failing multi-function switch.

If possible, leave the car overnight and check it starts cleanly the next morning without a boost.A flat battery after sitting is the pattern owners report with the Laguna's parasitic drain issue.

Full Renault Laguna reliability report