Renault R19 (1989)
1989 Renault R19
CarHunch analysed 1,605 real MOT records for the 1989 Renault R19. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1989 Renault R19 fails its MOT significantly more often than average UK cars, with just 62.8% passing first time against the national benchmark of 80%—that's a 17-point gap indicating this model has aged poorly mechanically. Dangerous defects appear in just over one in ten examples (10.5%), which is manageable but worth factoring into your pre-purchase inspection.
These cars are running at around 104,000 miles on average, which is reasonable for their age, yet they're averaging 1.46 failures and 3.0 advisories per test—suggesting rust, wear, and aging fuel systems are the real culprits rather than catastrophic mechanical failure. If you're considering one, budget for brake work and suspension sorting, have a pre-buy inspection done by someone who knows 1980s Renaults, and expect it to need annual attention to stay roadworthy.
What to check before buying a 1989 Renault R19
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 R19
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%) | 1,577 | 62.7% | 1.47 |
| Diesel (2%) | 28 | 68.8% | 0.86 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1989 Renault R19 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 1989 Renault R19 vehicles fall between 78,042 and 126,467 miles.
1989 Renault R19 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 14 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2021 (26% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2021.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1989 Renault R19
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
24.7%
Oil leak
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24.7%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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14.8%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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13.7%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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13.7%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
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12.6%
Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
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12.2%
Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
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11.8%
Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1989. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Renault R19?
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