Renault 5
From 257 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, seat belt not functioning as intended or of an incorrect type and windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen. The top issue, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, caused 13 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 13 |
| seat belt not functioning as intended or of an incorrect type | 11 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 10 |
| service brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 9 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 8 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 7 |
| brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. | 7 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 7 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 6 |
| leaking brake pipe or connection on a hydraulic system | 6 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. Only 16.7% of 5 failures are serious (safety or roadside), below the 44.4% average. When this car fails its MOT, it's more likely to be lights, wipers, or emissions than something dangerous. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £79.
Typical mileage
Half of all 5s tested had between 50,976 and 94,322 miles on the clock.
At 71,148 median miles, the 5 has 0.023 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Renault models
| Renault Clio | 68.2% |
| Renault Captur | 80.4% |
| Renault Trafic | 69.1% |
| Renault Megane | 67.1% |
| Renault Kadjar | 81.8% |
Common questions
What is the Renault 5 MOT pass rate?
The Renault 5 has a 83.3% MOT pass rate based on 257 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Renault 5?
The most common MOT failure on the Renault 5 is the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, which caused 13 failures. Other common issues include seat belt not functioning as intended or of an incorrect type.
What is the typical mileage of a Renault 5 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Renault 5 is 71,148 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 50,976 and 94,322 miles.
Buying a used 5?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 83.3% pass rate and an average repair bill of £79 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.