CarCostCheck

RENAULT MEGANE (2003)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 1,476 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,857

£155/month

MOT Pass Rate

71%

Average

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1900cc Diesel

Check Carefully

71% pass rate, £1857/year to run. 11 points below average.

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Diesel1900cc23 years old1,476 tests98k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1900cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037
Road Tax

Based on 1900cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500
Total per year£1,857
Per month£155/mo
Per week£36/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

71% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 11 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the RENAULT brand average of 80%.

At 23 years old, 71% of RENAULT MEGANEs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,476 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 97,801 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars271th of 445(top 61%)
Rank among RENAULT models457th of 636(top 72%)
vs national average-11%(82% avg)
vs 2003 cars average-1%(72% avg)
vs RENAULT average-9%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

97,801

Average miles

vs

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 RENAULT MEGANE has 97,801 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 88% MOT pass rate, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 66%. The 2003 sits between the two at 71%.

RENAULT MEGANE by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202286%3648,492 mi
202187%1,28632,847 mi
202088%2,52639,612 mi
201987%4,88342,735 mi
201886%3,61350,742 mi
201783%8,84961,637 mi
201680%8,94168,131 mi
201576%12,40681,732 mi
201471%13,72889,656 mi
201371%14,13494,541 mi
201271%17,649100,114 mi
201170%25,760102,094 mi
201069%31,167106,119 mi
200971%19,161108,465 mi
200868%11,102102,196 mi
200768%12,02999,693 mi
200667%6,822100,922 mi
200567%4,21297,221 mi
200466%2,138100,225 mi
200371%1,47697,801 mi
200271%2,64694,998 mi
200173%1,73195,603 mi
200071%72692,251 mi
199974%39080,794 mi
199873%24678,962 mi
199776%15382,236 mi
199685%3458,237 mi

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About the 2003 RENAULT MEGANE

The 2003 RENAULT MEGANE is a family car with a 1900cc diesel engine. 1,476 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 97,801 miles at 23 years old, RENAULT MEGANE owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2003 RENAULT MEGANE Fuel Costs

The 1900cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2003 RENAULT MEGANE?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,857 155/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 71% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

RENAULT MEGANE Reliability Trend

Newer RENAULT MEGANEs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 7 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2003 RENAULT MEGANE

At 23 years old, the RENAULT MEGANE is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 88%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2003 RENAULT MEGANE's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 98k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2003 RENAULT MEGANE stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
RENAULT MEGANE(2003)71%£1037£265Grp 18-32£1857
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2005)72%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£130
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2005)68%£905£30Grp 8-20£1690-£167
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2005)69%£905£135Grp 12-25£1795-£62
HONDA CIVIC(2005)73%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050+£193

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Renault Models

Explore other Renault cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

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