Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1987 Renault 21 Turbo Diesel?

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 1987 Renault 21 Turbo Diesel?

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 1987 Renault 21 Turbo Diesel?

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 1987 Renault 21 Turbo Diesel?

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 21 Turbo Diesel (1987)

163 real MOT outcomes analysed

1987 Renault 21 Turbo Diesel

CarHunch has 163 1987 Renault 21 Turbo Diesel vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

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No MOT data available for this vehicle type

The 1987 Renault 21 Turbo Diesel 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.

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No MOT data — worth knowing

Got a specific Renault 21 Turbo Diesel 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.

We don't have MOT test data for the 1987 Renault 21 Turbo Diesel in the DVLA light-vehicle database—this cohort of 163 vehicles simply hasn't generated recordable statistics, likely because very few remain in active use or registered for MOT testing today. The Renault 21 was a conventional mid-range saloon produced in the 1980s and early 1990s, and any surviving example from 1987 is now over 35 years old and genuinely rare on British roads.

If you're considering one, treat it as a classic or collector's piece rather than a practical daily driver. Have any potential purchase thoroughly inspected by a specialist familiar with 1980s French engineering, because age-related decay in fuel systems, electrics, and rust will matter far more than generic MOT pass rates—and finding parts or knowledgeable repair help for this specific model will be genuinely difficult.

MOT statistics not available

We have 163 1987 Renault 21 Turbo Diesel 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 1987 Renault 21 Turbo Diesel

Based on MOT data from 163 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

Other model years — Renault 21 Turbo Diesel: All 21 Turbo Diesel years → Which year to buy? →

1988

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