Renault 21 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Renault 21 car check
Is the Renault 21 reliable? We analysed 5,094 real MOT tests across 1,340 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Renault 21? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Renault 21 is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Renault 21.
Renault 21 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Renault 21. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Renault 21 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Renault 21 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Renault 21 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Renault 21 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Renault 21 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Renault 21 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Renault 21 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Renault 21 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 1,054 | 58.6% | 103,355 | 124,725 | 149,975 |
| 1994 | 1,033 | 61.3% | 98,400 | 130,026 | 158,337 |
| 1993 | 1,031 | 58.3% | 89,205 | 113,216 | 139,936 |
| 1992 | 633 | 59.4% | 93,124 | 118,693 | 142,209 |
| 1991 | 465 | 58.7% | 85,258 | 112,010 | 138,300 |
| 1990 | 284 | 60.2% | 92,834 | 112,785 | 143,853 |
| 1989 | 186 | 59.1% | 78,260 | 103,970 | 125,476 |
| 1988 | 226 | 63.3% | 74,901 | 105,300 | 138,052 |
| 1987 | 76 | 59.2% | 80,320 | 116,367 | 134,143 |
How Long Does a Renault 21 Last?
Based on 1,340 Renault 21 vehicles on UK roads.
Renault 21 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Renault 21 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 21
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
63.3% MOT pass rate from 226 tests
58.3% MOT pass rate from 1,031 tests
The best year to buy a used Renault 21 is 1988, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 63.3% across 226 tests. The 1993 model year has the lowest pass rate at 58.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Renault 21 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renault 21 THIS CAR | 59.7% | 5,094 | 118,763 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 |
| Kawasaki Zephyr 550 | 81.5% | 9,181 | 23,279 mi | 36 yrs |
Compared to the Renault Clio (67.1% pass rate) and the Renault Megane (67.3% pass rate), the Renault 21 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Renault 21 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 21Should you buy a used Renault 21?
The Renault 21 has an overall MOT pass rate of 59.7% across 5,094 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Renault 21 are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (575 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (535), and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (464). 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 21 owner drives around 6,091 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 21 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.