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Renault 5 (1996)

244 real MOT outcomes analysed • 61.3% first-time pass rate

1996 Renault 5

CarHunch analysed 244 real MOT records for the 1996 Renault 5. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 18.7% below UK average
61.3%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
71,685
typical mileage
56,402–87,401 middle half
18%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
1.85
avg MOT failures per car
over 4.6 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1996 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 ClickMechanic 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%) 243 61.1% 1.85
Diesel (0%) 1 88.9% 1

Mileage Distribution

Most 1996 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.

56,402
low mileage
71,685
typical
87,401
high mileage

Half of all 1996 Renault 5 vehicles fall between 56,402 and 87,401 miles.

MOT History Averages

4.6
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.85
Avg failures per vehicle
3.4
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1996 Renault 5

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

  • 25.4%
    Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
  • 25.2%
    Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
  • 21.2%
    Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive
  • 18.4%
    Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
  • 18.3%
    Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
  • 16.6%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 16.4%
    Fuel pipe/s corroded
  • 15.8%
    Parking brake: efficiency below requirements

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1996. 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.

UK

Other model years — Renault 5:

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995