Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1991 Renault R19?

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 R19?

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 R19?

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 R19 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,889 vehicles, the 1991 Renault R19 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 63.3%, 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 R19?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1991 Renault R19 are: Oil leak (24.7% of vehicles), Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (24.7% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (14.8% 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 R19?

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 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. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 1991 Renault R19 has a below-average first-time pass rate (63.3% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

63.3%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

13.5%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.46

Over 3.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

101k

Middle half: 80k–124k

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.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 3.1 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 1,889 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 1,889 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 24.7%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated · Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated · …

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

Other issues 24.7%

Oil leak · oil leak

Tyre wear 14.8%

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 13.7%

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive · Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases

Suspension & steering 10.5%

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split

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

Wipers & washers 8.6%

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 1,889 Renault R19 cars.

Before you buy a 1991 Renault R19

Based on MOT data from 1,889 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 13.5% 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
Petrol (96%)	1,820	63.3%	1.47
Diesel (4%)	69	63.2%	1.04

Colour Breakdown

Based on 25,403 Renault R19 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Red 27.5%

6,977

Blue 24.4%

6,210

White 14.4%

3,651

Grey 10.9%

2,777

Green 10.5%

2,669

Silver 7.1%

1,802

Black 3.1%

787

Beige 1.2%

315

Purple 0.4%

101

Gold 0.2%

Maroon 0.2%

Bronze 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1991 Renault R19 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.

100,538

typical

79,897

low mileage

123,939

high mileage

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

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 79,897 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.

✓ 79,897–123,939 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1991 Renault R19s sit.

⚠ Over 167,317 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 R19 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 17% of 1991 Renault R19s are still active.

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

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

3.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.46

Avg failures per vehicle

3.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Renault R19: All R19 years → Which year to buy? →

1989 1990 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996

Or browse all models: Renault →

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