Renault R19 (1991)

1,889 real MOT outcomes analysed • 63.3% first-time pass rate

1991 Renault R19

CarHunch analysed 1,889 real MOT records for the 1991 Renault R19. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 1991 Renault R19 passes its MOT first time just 63.3% of the time, significantly below the UK average of 80%, which means you're facing better-than-even odds of a repair bill before it's roadworthy again. With 13.5% of these cars having recorded dangerous defects, reliability is a genuine concern rather than a minor inconvenience.

At around 100,500 miles median mileage for a 33-year-old car, these R19s are relatively well-used but not exceptional, yet they're averaging 1.46 failures and 3.1 advisories per test—suggesting wear-related issues are piling up. Before committing to one, budget for immediate attention to common failure points and factor in that you'll likely need remedial work within the first year of ownership.

Below average reliability 16.7% below UK average
63.3%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
100,538
typical mileage
79,897–123,939 middle half
13.5%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
1.46
avg MOT failures per car
over 3.8 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1991 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 (96%) 1,820 63.3% 1.47
Diesel (4%) 69 63.2% 1.04

Mileage Distribution

Most 1991 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.

79,897
low mileage
100,538
typical
123,939
high mileage

Half of all 1991 Renault R19 vehicles fall between 79,897 and 123,939 miles.

1991 Renault R19 — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2024 (17% of peak).

59 10 2014 2024

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2024.

MOT History Averages

3.8
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.46
Avg failures per vehicle
3.1
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1991 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
  • 24.7%
    Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
  • 14.8%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 13.7%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 13.7%
    Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
  • 12.6%
    Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
  • 12.2%
    Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
  • 11.8%
    Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1991. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Renault R19?

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

UK

Other model years — Renault R19:

1989 1990 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996