Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1980 Renault 20ts 5 Sp?

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 20ts 5 Sp?

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 20ts 5 Sp?

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 20ts 5 Sp?

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 20ts 5 Sp (1980)

2,663 real MOT outcomes analysed

1980 Renault 20ts 5 Sp

CarHunch has 2,663 1980 Renault 20ts 5 Sp vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

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

No MOT data available for this vehicle type

The 1980 Renault 20ts 5 Sp 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 20ts 5 Sp 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 20TS 5-SP doesn't appear in the DVLA's light-vehicle MOT database, so there are no pass rates, defect statistics, or reliability figures available to compare against the UK average. This cohort of 2,663 vehicles has effectively left no testable trace in the modern MOT system—likely because these cars are now over 40 years old and either no longer registered, scrapped, or held in specialist collections rather than everyday use.

If you're considering one of these as a classic or restoration project, focus on mechanical condition and service history rather than MOT data. Have a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist familiar with 1980s Renault engineering, check for rust (a notorious weakness in this era), and budget for parts availability and potential restoration costs—official MOT records simply cannot guide you here.

MOT statistics not available

We have 2,663 1980 Renault 20ts 5 Sp 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 20ts 5 Sp

Based on MOT data from 2,663 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

Colour Breakdown

Based on 6,434 Renault 20ts 5 Sp vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 28.1%

1,808

Green 20%

1,287

Grey 17.5%

1,128

Gold 12.2%

782

White 8.7%

558

Silver 4.5%

291

Red 4%

260

Black 2.4%

153

Beige 2.2%

143

Maroon 0.2%

Brown 0.2%

Other model years — Renault 20ts 5 Sp: All 20ts 5 Sp years → Which year to buy? →

1981 1982 1983

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