Renault 5 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Renault 5 car check
Is the Renault 5 reliable? We analysed 22,507 real MOT tests across 5,412 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Renault 5? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Renault 5 is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Renault 5.
Renault 5 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Renault 5. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Renault 5 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Renault 5 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Renault 5 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Renault 5 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Renault 5 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Renault 5 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Renault 5 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Renault 5 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 62 | 80.6% | 69,030 | 114,308 | 168,242 |
| 2004 | 56 | 67.9% | 46,525 | 55,860 | 83,059 |
| 1996 | 1,124 | 59.7% | 54,276 | 71,082 | 87,030 |
| 1995 | 3,301 | 59.4% | 53,476 | 69,712 | 86,616 |
| 1994 | 3,279 | 59.5% | 59,484 | 76,375 | 93,868 |
| 1993 | 1,336 | 61.2% | 56,672 | 72,423 | 90,457 |
| 1992 | 753 | 63.2% | 58,718 | 75,333 | 92,459 |
| 1991 | 985 | 60.8% | 67,690 | 85,050 | 107,628 |
| 1990 | 3,204 | 63.0% | 56,342 | 76,613 | 99,201 |
| 1989 | 3,030 | 61.5% | 55,643 | 75,565 | 99,870 |
| 1988 | 2,220 | 61.1% | 53,121 | 73,560 | 95,177 |
| 1987 | 1,163 | 60.5% | 49,746 | 67,696 | 93,696 |
| 1986 | 693 | 65.4% | 50,177 | 68,400 | 86,932 |
| 1985 | 379 | 67.8% | 50,974 | 62,364 | 87,727 |
| 1984 | 234 | 76.1% | 38,265 | 59,137 | 81,739 |
| 1983 | 127 | 76.4% | 61,698 | 84,577 | 107,832 |
| 1982 | 75 | 77.3% | 47,448 | 63,302 | 70,620 |
How Long Does a Renault 5 Last?
Based on 5,412 Renault 5 vehicles on UK roads.
Renault 5 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Renault 5 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 5
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
80.6% MOT pass rate from 62 tests
59.4% MOT pass rate from 3,301 tests
The best year to buy a used Renault 5 is 2007, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 80.6% across 62 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 59.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Renault 5 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renault 5 THIS CAR | 61.8% | 22,507 | 73,258 mi | 42 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 RS4 Avant | 80.8% | 7,553 | 83,260 mi | 26 yrs |
Compared to the Renault Clio (67.1% pass rate) and the Renault Megane (67.3% pass rate), the Renault 5 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Renault 5 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 5Should you buy a used Renault 5?
The Renault 5 has an overall MOT pass rate of 61.8% across 22,507 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Renault 5 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (1,884 recorded failures), seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (1,559), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (1,334). 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 5 owner drives around 3,544 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 5 models stay on UK roads for around 42 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.