Renault R4 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Renault R4 car check
Is the Renault R4 reliable? We analysed 5,580 real MOT tests across 507 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Renault R4? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Renault R4 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Renault R4.
Renault R4 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Renault R4. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Renault R4 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Renault R4 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Renault R4 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Renault R4 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Renault R4 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Renault R4 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Renault R4 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Renault R4 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 121 | 63.6% | 92,072 | 127,897 | 153,287 |
| 1991 | 53 | 64.2% | 58,315 | 109,530 | 125,705 |
| 1989 | 62 | 69.4% | 124,668 | 159,617 | 188,912 |
| 1988 | 50 | 72.0% | 73,176 | 86,366 | 166,470 |
| 1987 | 132 | 65.9% | 82,202 | 101,436 | 129,102 |
| 1986 | 1,465 | 65.4% | 72,515 | 92,638 | 120,967 |
| 1985 | 1,271 | 66.8% | 67,060 | 87,375 | 116,253 |
| 1984 | 1,149 | 66.1% | 62,126 | 85,132 | 100,128 |
| 1983 | 342 | 65.5% | 60,539 | 89,584 | 121,327 |
| 1982 | 69 | 62.3% | 41,692 | 94,072 | 134,473 |
| 1981 | 73 | 74.0% | 33,632 | 59,190 | 64,159 |
| 1980 | 74 | 71.6% | 30,193 | 84,800 | 169,621 |
| 1979 | 115 | 65.2% | 31,932 | 52,718 | 68,463 |
| 1976 | 66 | 65.2% | 32,910 | 76,758 | 95,768 |
| 1968 | 61 | 85.2% | 50,530 | 74,313 | 81,230 |
How Long Does a Renault R4 Last?
Based on 507 Renault R4 vehicles on UK roads.
Renault R4 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Renault R4 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 R4
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
85.2% MOT pass rate from 61 tests
62.3% MOT pass rate from 69 tests
The best year to buy a used Renault R4 is 1968, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.2% across 61 tests. The 1982 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Renault R4 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renault R4 THIS CAR | 67.0% | 5,580 | 86,882 mi | 47 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 |
| Fiat Punto Sporting 16V | 61.8% | 3,815 | 75,557 mi | 29 yrs |
Compared to the Renault Clio (67.1% pass rate) and the Renault Megane (67.3% pass rate), the Renault R4 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Renault R4 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 R4Should you buy a used Renault R4?
The Renault R4 has an overall MOT pass rate of 67.0% across 5,580 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Renault R4 are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (651 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (277), and position lamp(s) not working (266). 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 R4 owner drives around 756 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 R4 models stay on UK roads for around 47 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.