Renault 5 (1988)
1988 Renault 5
CarHunch analysed 678 real MOT records for the 1988 Renault 5. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
What to check before buying a 1988 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.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (98%) | 665 | 49.9% | 1.26 |
| Diesel (2%) | 12 | 38.7% | 1.33 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 75% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1988 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.
Half of all 1988 Renault 5 vehicles fall between 54,389 and 96,423 miles.
1988 Renault 5 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 13 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 81% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1988 Renault 5
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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19.7%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
-
18.2%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
-
15.6%
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
-
13.3%
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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13.3%
Oil leak
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13%
Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
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11%
Brakes imbalanced across an axle
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10.6%
Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1988. 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.