Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1992 Renault R21?

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 1992 Renault R21?

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 1992 Renault R21?

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 1992 Renault R21 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 493 vehicles, the 1992 Renault R21 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 64.7%, indicating average reliability for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1992 Renault R21?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1992 Renault R21 are: Oil leak (18.9% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (13.3% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (12.7% 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 1992 Renault R21?

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 (1992)

493 real MOT outcomes analysed • 64.7% first-time pass rate

1992 Renault R21

CarHunch analysed 493 real MOT records for the 1992 Renault R21. 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

Moderate sample. 493 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 1992 Renault R21 is a noticeably weak performer, with a first-time MOT pass rate of just 64.7% against the UK average of 80%—meaning roughly one in three will fail on their first test. The dangerous defect rate of 12.4% is moderate and worth monitoring, but not unusually alarming.

At 105,564 miles median, these cars have covered typical distance for their age, yet they're averaging 1.34 failures and 2.6 advisories per test, suggesting structural wear and minor issues are common. If you're considering one, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on corrosion (typical of 1990s Renaults) and suspension condition, since failures cluster around these areas.

The 1992 Renault R21 has a below-average first-time pass rate (64.7% 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

64.7%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

12.4%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.34

Over 3.6 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

106k

Middle half: 85k–130k

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 493 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 493 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 18.9%

Oil leak

Tyre wear 13.3%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside 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.

Suspension & steering 10.2%

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded · Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded

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

Brake wear 7.8%

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

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

Lighting 7.4%

Offside Rear fog lamp not working

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Wipers & washers 5.9%

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid

Exhaust & emissions 5.4%

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1992.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 493 Renault R21 cars.

Before you buy a 1992 Renault R21

Based on MOT data from 493 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 12.4% 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 (86%)	422	64.9%	1.4
Diesel (14%)	71	63.9%	0.99

Colour Breakdown

Based on 2,298 Renault R21 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Red 27%

621

Blue 17.6%

404

White 16.1%

370

Grey 13.8%

318

Green 8.1%

187

Silver 7%

160

Beige 3.6%

Bronze 2.7%

Black 2.6%

Gold 1.1%

Purple 0.3%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1992 Renault R21 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.

105,564

typical

85,317

low mileage

130,183

high mileage

Half of all 1992 Renault R21 vehicles fall between 85,317 and 130,183 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 85,317 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.

✓ 85,317–130,183 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1992 Renault R21s sit.

⚠ Over 175,747 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1992 Renault R21 — Still on the Road

Most 1992 Renault R21s are still being driven.

Strong survival — 12 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2016, 80% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2016.

MOT History Averages

3.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.34

Avg failures per vehicle

2.6

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1993

Or browse all models: Renault →

Compare with another model

See how the 1992 Renault R21 stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on