Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1989 Renault 19?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1989 Renault 19?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1989 Renault 19?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1989 Renault 19?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Renault 19 (1989)

262 real MOT outcomes analysed • 62.8% first-time pass rate

1989 Renault 19

CarHunch analysed 262 real MOT records for the 1989 Renault 19. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 17.2% below UK average

62.8%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

100,879

typical mileage

74,220–120,111 middle half

15.7%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

1.53

avg MOT failures per car

over 3.9 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1989 Renault 19

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Renault 19

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection

Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (98%)	257	63%	1.52
Diesel (2%)	5	50%	1.8

Mileage Distribution

Most 1989 Renault 19 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

74,220

low mileage

100,879

typical

120,111

high mileage

Half of all 1989 Renault 19 vehicles fall between 74,220 and 120,111 miles.

MOT History Averages

3.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.53

Avg failures per vehicle

2.6

Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1989 Renault 19

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

27.1%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
17.5%

Oil leak
14.4%

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel
14.1%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
13.8%

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
12.7%

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
12.3%

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
12.2%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1989. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Renault 19?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

Other model years — Renault 19:

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996