Renault Vel Satis (2003)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 51 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£3,503

£292/month

MOT Pass Rate

67%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£790

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 35-50

3498cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

67% pass rate, £3,503/year to run. 15 points below average.

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Petrol3498cc23 years old51 tests106k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 3498cc)

~30 mpg

£1,958

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£790

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£3,503

Per month£292/mo

Per week£67/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

67% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 15 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Renault brand average of 80%.

67% of MOT tests on Renault Vel Satiss from 2003 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 21 years old. That's based on 51 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 106,377 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 models357th of 429(bottom 18%)

Rank among Renault models565th of 615(bottom 9%)

vs average of all models-15%(82% avg)

vs 2003 models average-5%(72% avg)

vs Renault average-13%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

106,377

Average miles

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2003 Renault Vel Satis had 106,377 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Renault Vel Satis by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2004	80%	41	128,953 mi
2003	67%	51	106,377 mi
2002	82%	34	115,809 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

BMW 3 Series

2001 · 3000cc Petrol

£2,958/year

77%

+10%

Mercedes E

2004 · 3199cc Petrol

£3,303/year

78%

+11%

Porsche Boxster

2005 · 3197cc Petrol

£3,153/year

86%

+19%

Porsche 911

2005 · 3824cc Petrol

£3,003/year

90%

+23%

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About the 2003 Renault Vel Satis

The 2003 Renault Vel Satis is a large-engined car. Our records list a 3498cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 51 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 18% of 2003 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 106,377 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Renault Vel Satis owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2003 Renault Vel Satis Fuel Costs

The 3498cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,958 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2003 Renault Vel Satis?

Total estimated annual running cost is £3,503 (£292/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £790 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 67% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Buying a Used 2003 Renault Vel Satis

At 23 years old, the Renault Vel Satis 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. Note: with only 51 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 23 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

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

Watch out

With an average of 106k 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 67% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 Vel Satis stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Renault Vel Satis(2003)	67%	£1,958	£790	Grp 35-50	£3,503
BMW 3 Series(2001)	77%	£1,958	£445	Grp 30-42	£2,958-£545
Mercedes E(2004)	78%	£1,958	£790	Grp 35-50	£3,303-£200
Porsche Boxster(2005)	86%	£1,958	£790	Grp 35-50	£3,153-£350
Porsche 911(2005)	90%	£1,958	£790	Grp 35-50	£3,003-£500

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2003 Renault Vel Satis

Is the 2003 Renault Vel Satis reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 67% of MOT tests on 2003 Renault Vel Satiss ended in a pass, from 51 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 15 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2003 Renault Vel Satis cost to run?

Our estimate is £3,503 a year (£292 a month): £1,958 fuel, £790 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Renault Vel Satis?

67% of 51 MOT tests on the 2003 Renault Vel Satis ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 357th of 429 models first registered in 2003 (bottom 18%).

What is the average mileage for a 2003 Renault Vel Satis?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2003 Renault Vel Satis is 106,377 miles, which is below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.