Renault R21 (1990)
1990 Renault R21
CarHunch analysed 373 real MOT records for the 1990 Renault R21. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1990 Renault R21 is a fragile prospect: only 63% pass the MOT first time, well below the UK average of 80%, meaning you're looking at a two-in-three chance of a failed test on any given year. With 12.1% of these cars showing dangerous defects at some point, structural or safety issues aren't rare enough to ignore.
These R21s are running at around 107,500 miles on the median, which is reasonable for their age, but they're racking up 1.33 failures and 3 advisories per vehicle on average—suggesting chronic wear across multiple systems rather than one specific weak point. Before buying, get a full pre-purchase inspection focusing on rust, brakes, and suspension, because the MOT history shows these cars need constant attention to stay roadworthy.
What to check before buying a 1990 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 (95%) | 354 | 63.5% | 1.32 |
| Diesel (5%) | 19 | 54.5% | 1.53 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1990 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 1990 Renault R21 vehicles fall between 85,220 and 133,550 miles.
1990 Renault R21 — Still on the Road
10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2019 — 53% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2019.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1990 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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19.2%
Oil leak
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14.7%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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13.6%
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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13.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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13.2%
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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11.3%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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9.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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9.4%
Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1990. 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.