Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1991 Renault Extra?

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 1991 Renault Extra?

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 1991 Renault Extra?

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 1991 Renault Extra reliable?

Based on MOT data from 2,183 vehicles, the 1991 Renault Extra has a first-time MOT pass rate of 60%, indicating average reliability for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1991 Renault Extra?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1991 Renault Extra are: Oil leak (22.9% of vehicles), Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (20.9% of vehicles), Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (20.7% 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 1991 Renault Extra?

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 Extra (1991)

2,183 real MOT outcomes analysed • 60% first-time pass rate

1991 Renault Extra

CarHunch analysed 2,183 real MOT records for the 1991 Renault Extra. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Petrol vs Diesel Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 1991 Renault Extra has a below-average first-time pass rate (60% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

First-time pass

60%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

1.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.24

Over 1.5 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

112k

Middle half: 82k–138k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

These stats describe 2,183 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 2,183 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 22.9%

Oil leak

Suspension & steering 20.9%

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded · Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded · Offside Steering rack gaiter split · …

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

Brake wear 20.7%

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated · Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated · Brakes imbalanced across an axle

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

Seat belts 17.7%

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded · Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded

Tyre wear 16.3%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside 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.

Exhaust & emissions 11.9%

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive

Wipers & washers 9.5%

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1991.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 2,183 Renault Extra cars.

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 5.7 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

56%

Petrol

645 vehicles

61.7%

Diesel

1,538 vehicles

Before you buy a 1991 Renault Extra

Based on MOT data from 2,183 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 1.6% 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
Diesel (70%)	1,538	61.7%	0.17
Petrol (30%)	645	56%	0.39

Colour Breakdown

Based on 35,376 Renault Extra vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 64.1%

22,661

Red 16%

5,657

Blue 14.4%

5,107

Beige 2.2%

768

Silver 0.6%

220

Green 0.6%

220

Yellow 0.6%

210

Grey 0.6%

210

Black 0.4%

134

Orange 0.3%

109

Multi-colour 0.1%

Brown 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1991 Renault Extra 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.

111,553

typical

82,436

low mileage

137,871

high mileage

Half of all 1991 Renault Extra vehicles fall between 82,436 and 137,871 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 82,436 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.

✓ 82,436–137,871 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1991 Renault Extras sit.

⚠ Over 186,125 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1991 Renault Extra — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 48% of 1991 Renault Extras are still active.

Numbers are declining — 10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022 (48% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2022.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

1.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.24

Avg failures per vehicle

0.6

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Or browse all models: Renault →

Compare with another model

See how the 1991 Renault Extra stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on