Renault R21 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Renault R21 car check
Is the Renault R21 reliable? We analysed 8,692 real MOT tests across 2,304 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Renault R21? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Renault R21 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 R21.
Renault R21 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Renault R21. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Renault R21 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Renault R21 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Renault R21 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Renault R21 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Renault R21 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Renault R21 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Renault R21 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Renault R21 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 1,000 | 60.4% | 76,194 | 97,110 | 114,095 |
| 1992 | 1,783 | 62.9% | 82,911 | 103,552 | 127,713 |
| 1991 | 1,718 | 63.3% | 74,117 | 96,238 | 128,787 |
| 1990 | 1,407 | 64.3% | 79,956 | 102,656 | 129,047 |
| 1989 | 1,024 | 62.7% | 79,266 | 108,339 | 134,350 |
| 1988 | 1,205 | 65.4% | 84,790 | 118,436 | 149,912 |
| 1987 | 463 | 67.4% | 64,582 | 92,318 | 117,222 |
| 1986 | 52 | 73.1% | 60,093 | 64,138 | 91,075 |
How Long Does a Renault R21 Last?
Based on 2,304 Renault R21 vehicles on UK roads.
Renault R21 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Renault R21 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 R21
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
73.1% MOT pass rate from 52 tests
60.4% MOT pass rate from 1,000 tests
The best year to buy a used Renault R21 is 1986, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 73.1% across 52 tests. The 1993 model year has the lowest pass rate at 60.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Renault R21 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renault R21 THIS CAR | 63.6% | 8,692 | 101,957 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 Corsa Sri Ecoflex | 90.2% | 2,956 | 51,812 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Renault Clio (67.1% pass rate) and the Renault Megane (67.3% pass rate), the Renault R21 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Renault R21 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 R21Should you buy a used Renault R21?
The Renault R21 has an overall MOT pass rate of 63.6% across 8,692 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Renault R21 are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (809 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (530), and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (424). 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 R21 owner drives around 2,178 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 R21 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.