1991 Renault R5 — MOT failures & pass rate
268 MOT tests on the 1991 Renault R5 are in this dataset, and 84.0% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (22.3% fail rate), the 1991 R5 comes out 6.2pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.3%) and suspension (7.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, non catalyst emissions and washers — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 20 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1991 R5 fails 18.2% of the time in the 60-90k band and 16.7% at 120-150k, a spread of only 1.5 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 19.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 17.5% in 2021 to 9.8% 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% | 25 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.8% | 21 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 6.0% | 16 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.0% | 16 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.5% | 12 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.4% | 9 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 20 |
| 2 | Non catalyst emissions | 17 |
| 3 | Washers | 14 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 12 |
| 5 | Wipers | 10 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 9 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 19.0% | 51 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.8% | 45 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 13.1% | 35 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.6% | 31 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.2% | 22 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.2% | 22 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 121 | 18.2% |
| 90-120k | 85 | 14.1% |
| 120-150k | 30 | 16.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 57 | 17.5% |
| 2022 | 54 | 20.4% |
| 2023 | 51 | 13.7% |
| 2024 | 55 | 18.2% |
| 2025 | 51 | 9.8% |
What to check before buying a 1991 R5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 9.3% of tests. Start there.
- 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.
- Suspension (7.8% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (6.0% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 1991 Renault R5s pass their MOT?
84.0% of the 268 1991 Renault R5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1991 Renault R5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.3% of tests, followed by suspension (7.8%).
Does the 1991 R5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.2% in the 60-90k band to 16.7% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 268 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.