CarVerify

Renault 11 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Renault 11 car check

Is the Renault 11 reliable? We analysed 618 real MOT tests across 150 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Renault 11? Enter the reg for a free check:

Free basic check Reports from £4.99 Results in seconds
Data last updated: · Based on 618 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
64.1%
Typical Mileage
71,709mi
Annual Mileage
2,153mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
39yrs

The Renault 11 is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Renault 11.

Renault 11 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Renault 11. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Renault 11 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Renault 11 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

64.6%
1988
63.2%
1987

Renault 11 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Renault 11 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Brake pipe excessively corroded 40
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 35
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 31
constant velocity joint gaiter split 30
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 25
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 25
brake recording little or no effort 24
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 19
parking brake recording little or no effort 18
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 17

Renault 11 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Renault 11 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
996 mi/yr
Typical
2,153 mi/yr
Average
3,537 mi/yr
Heavy usage
4,807 mi/yr

Renault 11 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Renault 11 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1988 226 64.6% 55,157 74,520 96,106
1987 155 63.2% 52,626 76,295 103,332

How Long Does a Renault 11 Last?

Based on 150 Renault 11 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
20.7 years
Median
20.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
39 years

Renault 11 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Renault 11 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
71,709 mi
75th Percentile
98,259 mi
95th Percentile
148,812 mi
Max Recorded
224,556 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Renault 11

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1988

64.6% MOT pass rate from 226 tests

Year to avoid
1987

63.2% MOT pass rate from 155 tests

The best year to buy a used Renault 11 is 1988, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 64.6% across 226 tests. The 1987 model year has the lowest pass rate at 63.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Renault 11 Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Renault 11 THIS CAR 64.1% 618 71,709 mi 39 yrs
Renault Clio 67.1% 14,729,048 62,807 mi 33 yrs
Renault Megane 67.3% 7,306,346 70,453 mi 30 yrs
Renault Laguna 64.6% 2,783,232 89,257 mi 32 yrs
Vauxhall Meriva Life 8V 69.3% 485 92,608 mi — yrs

Compared to the Renault Clio (67.1% pass rate) and the Renault Megane (67.3% pass rate), the Renault 11 trails behind on MOT reliability.

Found a Renault 11 you like?

Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.

Check a specific Renault 11

Should you buy a used Renault 11?

The Renault 11 has an overall MOT pass rate of 64.1% across 618 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.

The most common problems on the Renault 11 are brake pipe excessively corroded (40 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (35), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (31). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Renault 11 owner drives around 2,153 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Renault 11 models stay on UK roads for around 39 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Renault 11 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Renault 11 reliable?
Based on 618 MOT tests, the Renault 11 has a 64.1% pass rate — below average, so factor in potential repair costs.
What are the common problems on a Renault 11?
The most common MOT failures are brake pipe excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Renault 11 do per year?
The typical Renault 11 does around 2,153 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Renault 11 last?
Most Renault 11 models stay on UK roads for around 39 years based on our analysis of 150 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Renault 11?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Renault 11?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Renault 11 is 1988 with a 64.6% pass rate across 226 tests.