Renault 19 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Renault 19 car check
Is the Renault 19 reliable? We analysed 29,314 real MOT tests across 7,429 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Renault 19? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Renault 19 is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and steering rack gaiter split. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Renault 19.
Renault 19 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Renault 19. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Renault 19 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Renault 19 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Renault 19 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Renault 19 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Renault 19 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Renault 19 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Renault 19 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Renault 19 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 1,214 | 59.3% | 70,805 | 86,777 | 104,920 |
| 1995 | 5,694 | 58.4% | 72,270 | 89,378 | 109,725 |
| 1994 | 8,524 | 60.5% | 77,874 | 96,988 | 117,588 |
| 1993 | 6,728 | 60.9% | 83,193 | 104,426 | 127,269 |
| 1992 | 3,054 | 60.0% | 80,569 | 102,899 | 124,778 |
| 1991 | 1,712 | 60.7% | 79,148 | 102,901 | 125,916 |
| 1990 | 1,258 | 59.5% | 67,900 | 94,418 | 118,124 |
| 1989 | 1,016 | 60.6% | 72,526 | 99,623 | 120,600 |
How Long Does a Renault 19 Last?
Based on 7,429 Renault 19 vehicles on UK roads.
Renault 19 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Renault 19 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Renault 19
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
60.9% MOT pass rate from 6,728 tests
58.4% MOT pass rate from 5,694 tests
The best year to buy a used Renault 19 is 1993, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 60.9% across 6,728 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 58.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Renault 19 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renault 19 THIS CAR | 60.1% | 29,314 | 97,458 mi | 37 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 |
| Audi RS6 | 83% | 15,293 | 71,371 mi | 24 yrs |
Compared to the Renault Clio (67.1% pass rate) and the Renault Megane (67.3% pass rate), the Renault 19 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Renault 19 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 19Should you buy a used Renault 19?
The Renault 19 has an overall MOT pass rate of 60.1% across 29,314 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Renault 19 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (2,766 recorded failures), suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2,318), and steering rack gaiter split (1,789). 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 19 owner drives around 5,428 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 19 models stay on UK roads for around 37 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.