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Renault Unknown Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Renault Unknown car check

Is the Renault Unknown reliable? We analysed 7,955 real MOT tests across 2,773 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 7,955 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
79.6%
Typical Mileage
54,076mi
Annual Mileage
5,187mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
25yrs

The Renault Unknown is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Renault Unknown.

Renault Unknown Number Plates

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

Renault Unknown MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

81.9%
2023
80.4%
2022
80.6%
2021
81.2%
2020
82.1%
2019
82.3%
2018
81%
2017
81.9%
2016
84.5%
2015
82.9%
2014
78.8%
2013
71%
2012
80.3%
2008
67.2%
2007
71.4%
2006
64.2%
2005
61.8%
2004
71%
2003
71.3%
2002
73%
2001

Renault Unknown Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Renault Unknown models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 55

Renault Unknown Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
2,020 mi/yr
Typical
5,187 mi/yr
Average
9,892 mi/yr
Heavy usage
12,891 mi/yr

Renault Unknown MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2023 149 81.9% 17,085 32,024 61,690
2022 367 80.4% 20,366 46,379 77,508
2021 402 80.6% 22,208 40,072 90,944
2020 618 81.2% 20,620 52,186 96,804
2019 688 82.1% 20,922 55,641 104,229
2018 808 82.3% 20,481 48,509 111,612
2017 903 81.0% 19,594 61,474 131,336
2016 747 81.9% 17,412 29,426 65,570
2015 446 84.5% 20,418 43,370 123,890
2014 701 82.9% 20,848 33,718 65,158
2013 556 78.8% 25,778 44,491 96,590
2012 93 71.0% 36,808 167,113 241,213
2008 61 80.3% 24,336 43,300 112,786
2007 116 67.2% 80,216 125,342 168,462
2006 91 71.4% 55,121 149,222 298,232
2005 95 64.2% 147,084 218,198 277,709
2004 89 61.8% 92,696 158,440 207,990
2003 62 71.0% 63,614 92,986 121,951
2002 87 71.3% 126,819 203,221 342,022
2001 63 73.0% 180,973 267,782 298,744

How Long Does a Renault Unknown Last?

Based on 2,773 Renault Unknown vehicles on UK roads.

Average
8.4 years
Median
7.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
25 years

Renault Unknown Mileage Distribution

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

Median
54,076 mi
75th Percentile
119,198 mi
95th Percentile
257,403 mi
Max Recorded
2,597,601 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Renault Unknown

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

Best year
2015

84.5% MOT pass rate from 446 tests

Year to avoid
2004

61.8% MOT pass rate from 89 tests

The best year to buy a used Renault Unknown is 2015, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.5% across 446 tests. The 2004 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Renault Unknown Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Renault Unknown THIS CAR 79.6% 7,955 54,076 mi 25 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
Peugeot 208 Active Puretech S/s 86.3% 6,580 25,004 mi — yrs

Compared to the Renault Clio (67.1% pass rate) and the Renault Megane (67.3% pass rate), the Renault Unknown outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Renault Unknown?

The Renault Unknown has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.6% across 7,955 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Renault Unknown with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Renault Unknown owner drives around 5,187 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 Unknown models stay on UK roads for around 25 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 Unknown — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Renault Unknown reliable?
Based on 7,955 MOT tests, the Renault Unknown has a 79.6% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Renault Unknown?
The most common failure point is general wear and tear.
How many miles does a Renault Unknown do per year?
The typical Renault Unknown does around 5,187 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Renault Unknown last?
Most Renault Unknown models stay on UK roads for around 25 years based on our analysis of 2,773 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Renault Unknown?
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 Unknown?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Renault Unknown is 2015 with a 84.5% pass rate across 446 tests.