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Renault R5 (1988)

2,172 real MOT outcomes analysed • 61.3% first-time pass rate

1988 Renault R5

CarHunch analysed 2,172 real MOT records for the 1988 Renault R5. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 18.7% below UK average
61.3%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
80,621
typical mileage
59,232–100,840 middle half
13.8%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
1.74
avg MOT failures per car
over 4.8 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1988 Renault R5

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 R5

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 (99%) 2,156 61.3% 1.75
Diesel (1%) 16 52.5% 1.25

Mileage Distribution

Most 1988 Renault R5 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.

59,232
low mileage
80,621
typical
100,840
high mileage

Half of all 1988 Renault R5 vehicles fall between 59,232 and 100,840 miles.

1988 Renault R5 — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 71 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (41% of peak).

175 71 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.

MOT History Averages

4.8
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.74
Avg failures per vehicle
4.2
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1988 Renault R5

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 18.8%
    Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
  • 18.1%
    Oil leak
  • 18%
    Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
  • 15.9%
    Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
  • 15.6%
    Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
  • 13.9%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 13.1%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 12%
    Brakes imbalanced across an axle

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1988. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Renault R5?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Renault R5:

1983 1985 1986 1987 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996