Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1992 Renault 21?

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 1992 Renault 21?

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 1992 Renault 21?

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.

Is the 1992 Renault 21 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 182 vehicles, the 1992 Renault 21 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 62.4%, indicating average reliability for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1992 Renault 21?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1992 Renault 21 are: Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (15.6% of vehicles), Oil leak (14.8% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (14.7% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1992 Renault 21?

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 (1992)

182 real MOT outcomes analysed • 62.4% first-time pass rate

1992 Renault 21

CarHunch analysed 182 real MOT records for the 1992 Renault 21. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution MOT Averages Compare Models

The 1992 Renault 21 is a genuinely unreliable prospect by modern standards, with a first-time MOT pass rate of just 62.4% against the UK average of 80%—meaning four in ten of these cars fail their test. Dangerous defects show up in 17% of examples, which is a meaningful concern for a car of this age but not exceptional.

At 114,000 miles median mileage, these Renaults are running at typical age-adjusted levels, yet they're still averaging 1.4 failures and 2.5 advisories per test, suggesting inherent mechanical frailty rather than neglect. If you're considering one, get a thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on the structural and brake components that typically fail, because this model simply doesn't have the built-in robustness to coast through ownership on habit alone.

We have limited data for the 1992 Renault 21 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

62.4%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

17%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.4

Over 3.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

114k

Middle half: 88k–133k

For context

These stats describe 182 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 182 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 15.6%

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Other issues 14.8%

Oil leak

Suspension & steering 9.6%

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded · Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Lighting 9%

Offside Headlamp aim too low · Nearside Headlamp aim too low · Offside Rear fog lamp not working

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Brake wear 8.9%

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated · Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Wipers & washers 8.9%

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1992.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 182 Renault 21 cars.

Before you buy a 1992 Renault 21

Based on MOT data from 182 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 17% 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

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (71%)	130	62.1%	1.38
Diesel (29%)	52	63.2%	1.44

Mileage Distribution

Most 1992 Renault 21 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

114,439

typical

88,194

low mileage

133,285

high mileage

Half of all 1992 Renault 21 vehicles fall between 88,194 and 133,285 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 88,194 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 88,194–133,285 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1992 Renault 21s sit.

⚠ Over 179,934 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

MOT History Averages

3.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.4

Avg failures per vehicle

2.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

1991 1993 1994 1995

Or browse all models: Renault →

Compare with another model

See how the 1992 Renault 21 stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on