Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1980 Renault 20 Ts?

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 1980 Renault 20 Ts?

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 1980 Renault 20 Ts?

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 1980 Renault 20 Ts?

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.

CarHunch

Get Started

Renault 20 Ts (1980)

120 real MOT outcomes analysed

1980 Renault 20 Ts

CarHunch has 120 1980 Renault 20 Ts vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

On this page

Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Compare Models

No MOT data available for this vehicle type

The 1980 Renault 20 Ts doesn't appear in DVLA light-vehicle MOT records — it may be exempt, registered as a different vehicle class, or an import not subject to UK MOT testing. We don't have reliability stats for this specific model, but you can browse other Renault vehicles below.

Browse all Renault models →

No MOT data — worth knowing

Got a specific Renault 20 Ts you're checking out?

The real detail is in the individual vehicle report — MOT history, AI Hunches, mileage timeline, and defect patterns for that specific reg.

The 1980 Renault 20 TS doesn't appear in the DVLA's light-vehicle MOT database, so we have no pass rates, failure statistics, or defect data to work with—this car is now so rare that either very few remain on the road, or those still registered may fall outside standard MOT testing. What we do know is that the Renault 20 was a solid mid-range saloon of its era, popular as everyday transport and taxis, but any surviving example from 1980 is now 44 years old and will require specialist knowledge to keep roadworthy. If you're considering one, ignore the MOT statistics entirely and instead have a pre-purchase inspection by someone experienced with French classics of that period—focus on rust (particularly around the sills and floor pan), engine gasket condition, and whether the cooling system has been properly maintained. These cars are keeper vehicles for enthusiasts rather than practical buys; factor in that parts availability is limited and labour costs for specialist work will be significant.

MOT statistics not available

We have 120 1980 Renault 20 Ts vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

There are a few reasons this can happen:

Heavy commercial vehicle — trucks, buses and coaches over 3.5 tonnes are tested under the DVSA annual HGV/PSV regime, which uses a separate database not included in our data source
Imported vehicles — vehicles registered abroad and recently brought to the UK may have no UK MOT history yet
MOT-exempt — vehicles manufactured before 1986 qualify under the 40-year rolling exemption; some specialist and agricultural vehicles are also exempt
Never used on public roads — some vehicles are registered but kept off-road and have never required an MOT

Check on the official DVSA service →

Before you buy a 1980 Renault 20 Ts

Based on MOT data from 120 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Compare with another model

See how the 1980 Renault 20 Ts stacks up against a rival.