Renault R5
From 1,605 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 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. and steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc. The top issue, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, caused 53 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 53 |
| 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. | 46 |
| steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 37 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 36 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 34 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 29 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 28 |
| 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 | 25 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 23 |
| exhaust system leaking or insecure | 22 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 30% of R5 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 22.2% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £157.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 73.6% | 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., abnormal lag in brake operation on a wheel |
| 1991 | 81.5% | a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen |
| 1990 | 78% | emissions levels exceed default limits, wiper blade defective |
| 1989 | 79.5% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
3 earlier years
| 1988 | 78.8% | steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 1987 | 80% | windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 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. |
| 1986 | 80.6% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 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. |
Typical mileage
Half of all R5s tested had between 54,931 and 98,553 miles on the clock.
At 70,453 median miles, the R5 has 0.031 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 R5 MOT pass rate?
The Renault R5 has a 78% MOT pass rate based on 1,605 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Renault R5?
The most common MOT failure on the Renault R5 is the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, which caused 53 failures. Other common issues include 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..
What is the typical mileage of a Renault R5 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Renault R5 is 70,453 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 54,931 and 98,553 miles.
Buying a used R5?
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 78% pass rate and an average repair bill of £157 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 30% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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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.