Renault R21 (1987)
1987 Renault R21
CarHunch analysed 114 real MOT records for the 1987 Renault R21. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1987 Renault R21 passes its MOT just 67.2% of the time, which is 12.8 points below the UK average—a significant reliability concern that suggests age-related wear is catching up with these nearly four-decade-old cars. With 12.3% of vehicles having recorded a dangerous defect at some point, buyers should expect to budget for safety-critical repairs before purchase.
These R21s are running at a median 90,950 miles, which is reasonable for their age, but they're averaging 1.32 failures per test and 4.1 advisories, pointing to accumulating issues across multiple systems rather than isolated problems. Before buying one, get a full pre-purchase inspection focused on brakes, suspension, and corrosion—the high advisory count suggests these are where money will go.
What to check before buying a 1987 Renault R21
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 R21
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%) | 109 | 67.8% | 1.29 |
| Diesel (4%) | 5 | 55.3% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1987 Renault R21 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 1987 Renault R21 vehicles fall between 71,991 and 117,610 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1987 Renault R21
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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25.2%
Oil leak
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16.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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14.2%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
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13.2%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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13%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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12.2%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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11.2%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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10.6%
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1987. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Renault R21?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.