1989 Renault R5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 727 MOT tests analysed for the 1989 Renault R5, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 79.9% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (79.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 24.1% in the 120-150k group versus 16.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.3% | 68 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.4% | 61 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.2% | 45 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.9% | 43 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.1% | 30 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.1% | 30 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 37 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 31 |
| 3 | Non catalyst emissions | 25 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 25 |
| 5 | Steering rack | 23 |
| 6 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 23 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 16.5% | 120 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 16.0% | 116 |
| 3 | Suspension | 15.4% | 112 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.3% | 97 |
| 5 | Tyres | 12.9% | 94 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.6% | 55 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 48 | 16.7% |
| 30-60k | 185 | 19.5% |
| 60-90k | 238 | 21.4% |
| 90-120k | 171 | 19.3% |
| 120-150k | 58 | 24.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 163 | 20.9% |
| 2022 | 142 | 19.0% |
| 2023 | 140 | 20.0% |
| 2024 | 132 | 22.0% |
| 2025 | 150 | 18.7% |
What to check before buying a 1989 R5
Before buying a 1989 Renault R5, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 9.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (9.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (6.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1989 Renault R5s pass their MOT?
79.9% of the 727 1989 Renault R5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1989 Renault R5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.3% of tests, followed by brakes (8.4%).
Does the 1989 R5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.7% in the 0-30k band to 24.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 727 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.