Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1991 Renault R21 Savanna?

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 R21 Savanna?

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 R21 Savanna?

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 R21 Savanna reliable?

Based on MOT data from 346 vehicles, the 1991 Renault R21 Savanna 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.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1991 Renault R21 Savanna?

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 R21 Savanna (1991)

346 real MOT outcomes analysed • 60% first-time pass rate

1991 Renault R21 Savanna

CarHunch analysed 346 real MOT records for the 1991 Renault R21 Savanna. 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 Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 346 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 1991 Renault R21 Savanna is significantly less reliable than the UK average, with a first-time MOT pass rate of just 60% compared to 80% nationally—meaning four in ten of these cars fail their test. Dangerous defects have affected 11.8% of the fleet, which is a modest concern but not extreme for a 33-year-old car.

These R21s are running at a median of 124,834 miles, which is reasonable for their age, yet they're still averaging 1.28 failures and 2.6 advisories per test, suggesting chronic wear rather than isolated problems. If you're considering one, budget for remedial work before purchase and expect ongoing maintenance costs; the low pass rate means many examples on sale will have multiple faults waiting to bite you.

The 1991 Renault R21 Savanna has a below-average first-time pass rate (60% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ About 1 in 12 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

60%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

11.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.28

Over 3.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

125k

Middle half: 99k–147k

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 2.6 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 346 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

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 346 Renault R21 Savanna cars.

Before you buy a 1991 Renault R21 Savanna

Based on MOT data from 346 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 11.9% 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 (79%)	274	59.3%	1.27
Diesel (21%)	72	62.8%	1.35

Colour Breakdown

Based on 4,134 Renault R21 Savanna vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Red 28.5%

1,178

Green 20.6%

853

Blue 19.6%

812

White 12.4%

511

Grey 10.8%

448

Silver 5.8%

238

Beige 1.3%

Gold 0.4%

Black 0.2%

Maroon 0.2%

Purple 0.2%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1991 Renault R21 Savanna 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.

124,834

typical

99,391

low mileage

147,421

high mileage

Half of all 1991 Renault R21 Savanna vehicles fall between 99,391 and 147,421 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 99,391 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.

✓ 99,391–147,421 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1991 Renault R21 Savannas sit.

⚠ Over 199,018 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

MOT History Averages

3.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.28

Avg failures per vehicle

2.6

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Renault R21 Savanna: All R21 Savanna years → Which year to buy? →

1988 1989 1990 1992 1993 1994 1995

Or browse all models: Renault →

Compare with another model

See how the 1991 Renault R21 Savanna stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on