Renault R5 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Renault R5 car check
Is the Renault R5 reliable? We analysed 103,140 real MOT tests across 20,538 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Renault R5? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Renault R5 is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Renault R5.
Renault R5 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Renault R5. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Renault R5 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Renault R5 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Renault R5 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Renault R5 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Renault R5 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Renault R5 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Renault R5 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Renault R5 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 4,459 | 63.0% | 47,803 | 65,352 | 83,181 |
| 1995 | 12,908 | 62.7% | 45,517 | 63,746 | 82,646 |
| 1994 | 13,646 | 63.2% | 50,803 | 69,219 | 90,128 |
| 1993 | 5,289 | 63.3% | 50,403 | 69,849 | 90,327 |
| 1992 | 2,920 | 64.2% | 49,114 | 71,181 | 91,688 |
| 1991 | 4,821 | 65.5% | 61,810 | 80,896 | 100,278 |
| 1990 | 18,768 | 65.9% | 53,329 | 77,148 | 101,837 |
| 1989 | 16,923 | 64.6% | 52,100 | 73,477 | 97,514 |
| 1988 | 10,482 | 63.7% | 53,432 | 74,898 | 98,582 |
| 1987 | 4,921 | 65.5% | 51,510 | 75,058 | 98,364 |
| 1986 | 4,297 | 65.4% | 53,130 | 72,149 | 97,700 |
| 1985 | 2,012 | 64.0% | 46,003 | 65,463 | 89,650 |
| 1984 | 501 | 73.3% | 32,739 | 53,137 | 75,253 |
| 1983 | 591 | 74.1% | 40,445 | 62,378 | 85,050 |
| 1982 | 242 | 67.8% | 27,686 | 48,262 | 82,080 |
| 1981 | 97 | 72.2% | 38,514 | 62,040 | 69,767 |
| 1980 | 60 | 70.0% | 31,944 | 33,339 | 41,131 |
How Long Does a Renault R5 Last?
Based on 20,538 Renault R5 vehicles on UK roads.
Renault R5 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Renault R5 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 R5
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
74.1% MOT pass rate from 591 tests
62.7% MOT pass rate from 12,908 tests
The best year to buy a used Renault R5 is 1983, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 74.1% across 591 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Renault R5 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renault R5 THIS CAR | 64.4% | 103,140 | 71,608 mi | 41 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 |
| Ford Puma St-line MHEV | 92.4% | 51,156 | 25,549 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Renault Clio (67.1% pass rate) and the Renault Megane (67.3% pass rate), the Renault R5 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Renault R5 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 R5Should you buy a used Renault R5?
The Renault R5 has an overall MOT pass rate of 64.4% across 103,140 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Renault R5 are seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (6,288 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (6,121), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (5,980). 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 R5 owner drives around 1,812 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 R5 models stay on UK roads for around 41 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.