1989 Renault R5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 727 MOT tests, the 1989 Renault R5 recorded a 79.9% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 21.3% of the time, so this is 1.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.3%) and brakes (8.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, component mounting prescribed areas and position lamp — service brake performance alone was recorded 37 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 24.1% versus 16.7%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 16.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 20.9% in 2021 to 18.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
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 | Position lamp | 25 |
| 4 | Non catalyst emissions | 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
On a 1989 R5, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.