Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1987 Renault R25?

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 1987 Renault R25?

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 1987 Renault R25?

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 1987 Renault R25 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 130 vehicles, the 1987 Renault R25 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 61.1%, 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 1987 Renault R25?

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 R25 (1987)

Q: What are common problems with the 1987 Renault R25?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1987 Renault R25 are: Oil leak (22.1% of vehicles), Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (20.1% of vehicles), Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (16% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

130 real MOT outcomes analysed • 61.1% first-time pass rate

1987 Renault R25

CarHunch analysed 130 real MOT records for the 1987 Renault R25. 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 Mileage Distribution MOT Averages Compare Models

The R25 is a genuinely weak performer: only 61% pass on the first attempt versus the UK average of 80%, and nearly 15% have recorded dangerous defects at some point—a material concern for a buyer. This is an aging classic now, and these numbers reflect a car that demands serious mechanical attention.

The median mileage of 109,555 miles is actually reasonable for a 1987, but the average 1.52 failures per test and 4.6 advisories per vehicle reveal persistent issues across the fleet. If you're considering one, budget for a pre-purchase inspection by someone who knows French cars well, because this model needs a buyer who's genuinely committed to maintenance, not a gamble.

We have limited data for the 1987 Renault R25 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these cars 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

61.1%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

14.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.52

Over 4.6 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

110k

Middle half: 88k–146k

For context

These stats describe 130 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.

What tends to go wrong

Based on 130 cars. % = share of cohort with at least one match (advisories + failures combined).

~1 in 6 Other issues

Oil leak (22.1%) · Fuel pipe/s corroded (8.1%)

~1 in 6 Brake wear

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (20.1%) · Brake pipe slightly corroded (8.4%) · Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (7%) · …

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

~1 in 6 Suspension & steering

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (16%) · Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (14.8%) · Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (8.1%)

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

9.3% Tyre wear

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (9.3%) · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (7.6%) · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (7.3%)

💡 Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. A used-car inspection will confirm how much is left.

9.3% Exhaust & emissions

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (9.3%) · Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.7%) · Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.6%)

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1987. Counts include advisories and failures.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 130 Renault R25 cars.

Before you buy a 1987 Renault R25

Based on MOT data from 130 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 14.6% 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 →

Mileage Distribution

Most 1987 Renault R25 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.

109,555

typical

87,535

low mileage

146,002

high mileage

Half of all 1987 Renault R25 vehicles fall between 87,535 and 146,002 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 87,535 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.

✓ 87,535–146,002 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1987 Renault R25s sit.

⚠ Over 197,102 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

4.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.52

Avg failures per vehicle

4.6

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Renault R25: All R25 years → Which year to buy? →

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992

Or browse all models: Renault →

Compare with another model

See how the 1987 Renault R25 stacks up against a rival.

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