CarVerify

Renault R21 Savanna Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Renault R21 Savanna car check

Is the Renault R21 Savanna reliable? We analysed 14,655 real MOT tests across 4,136 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Renault R21 Savanna? Enter the reg for a free check:

Free basic check Reports from £4.99 Results in seconds
Data last updated: · Based on 14,655 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
60.1%
Typical Mileage
122,081mi
Annual Mileage
4,585mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
38yrs

The Renault R21 Savanna is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Renault R21 Savanna.

Renault R21 Savanna Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Renault R21 Savanna. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Renault R21 Savanna MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Renault R21 Savanna to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

62%
1996
60.8%
1995
61.8%
1994
57.6%
1993
59.3%
1992
60.9%
1991
58.4%
1990
55.8%
1989
60.5%
1988
62.2%
1987

Renault R21 Savanna Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Renault R21 Savanna fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 1,606
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 1,372
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1,312
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 678
Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 670
Headlamp aim too low 591
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 564
Brake hose excessively deteriorated 546
constant velocity joint gaiter split 516
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 515

Renault R21 Savanna Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Renault R21 Savanna owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
2,249 mi/yr
Typical
4,585 mi/yr
Average
5,770 mi/yr
Heavy usage
7,823 mi/yr

Renault R21 Savanna MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Renault R21 Savanna year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1996 266 62.0% 86,633 116,952 143,403
1995 3,290 60.8% 97,093 123,776 151,655
1994 3,787 61.8% 101,928 128,422 154,533
1993 2,634 57.6% 96,075 118,492 145,235
1992 1,840 59.3% 96,952 120,510 145,410
1991 1,138 60.9% 95,018 124,099 154,032
1990 543 58.4% 92,499 112,182 136,085
1989 582 55.8% 93,467 119,300 149,362
1988 382 60.5% 78,714 109,626 136,010
1987 180 62.2% 54,099 88,746 132,764

How Long Does a Renault R21 Savanna Last?

Based on 4,136 Renault R21 Savanna vehicles on UK roads.

Average
13.8 years
Median
13.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
38 years

Renault R21 Savanna Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Renault R21 Savanna MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
122,081 mi
75th Percentile
149,451 mi
95th Percentile
200,428 mi
Max Recorded
947,722 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Renault R21 Savanna

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

Best year
1987

62.2% MOT pass rate from 180 tests

Year to avoid
1989

55.8% MOT pass rate from 582 tests

The best year to buy a used Renault R21 Savanna is 1987, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 62.2% across 180 tests. The 1989 model year has the lowest pass rate at 55.8% — 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 Savanna Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Renault R21 Savanna THIS CAR 60.1% 14,655 122,081 mi 38 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
Mercedes-benz 380 73.6% 13,516 99,395 mi 46 yrs

Compared to the Renault Clio (67.1% pass rate) and the Renault Megane (67.3% pass rate), the Renault R21 Savanna trails behind on MOT reliability.

Found a Renault R21 Savanna 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 R21 Savanna

Should you buy a used Renault R21 Savanna?

The Renault R21 Savanna has an overall MOT pass rate of 60.1% across 14,655 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.

The most common problems on the Renault R21 Savanna are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (1,606 recorded failures), seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (1,372), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (1,312). 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 Savanna owner drives around 4,585 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 Savanna models stay on UK roads for around 38 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 R21 Savanna — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Renault R21 Savanna reliable?
Based on 14,655 MOT tests, the Renault R21 Savanna has a 60.1% pass rate — below average, so factor in potential repair costs.
What are the common problems on a Renault R21 Savanna?
The most common MOT failures are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded, and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Renault R21 Savanna do per year?
The typical Renault R21 Savanna does around 4,585 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Renault R21 Savanna last?
Most Renault R21 Savanna models stay on UK roads for around 38 years based on our analysis of 4,136 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Renault R21 Savanna?
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 R21 Savanna?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Renault R21 Savanna is 1987 with a 62.2% pass rate across 180 tests.