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

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 5?

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 5?

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 5?

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 5 (1980)

1,183 real MOT outcomes analysed • 0.9% first-time pass rate

1980 Renault 5

CarHunch analysed 1,183 real MOT records for the 1980 Renault 5. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 79.1% below UK average

0.9%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

82,754

typical mileage

40,200–97,858 middle half

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

avg MOT failures per car

over 1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1980 Renault 5

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 5

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 →

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (100%)	1,182	0.9%	0
Diesel (0%)	1	0%	0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1980 Renault 5 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.

40,200

low mileage

82,754

typical

97,858

high mileage

Half of all 1980 Renault 5 vehicles fall between 40,200 and 97,858 miles.

MOT History Averages

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1980 Renault 5

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

20%

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases
13.3%

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play
13.3%

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel
13.3%

Oil leak
13.3%

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel
13.3%

Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated
13.3%

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside
13.3%

Offside Front Inner Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1980. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Renault 5?

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

Other model years — Renault 5:

1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996