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1988 Renault R21 MOT Pass Rate

Pass rate for R21 models manufactured in 1988, based on 347 real MOT test results.

50.7%
Pass Rate
49.3%
Fail Rate
347
Total Tests
120,530
Avg Mileage

Data from official DVSA MOT testing records

This page shows all R21 cars tested in 1988. Want to see how cars built in 1988 hold up over time?

View 1988 Renault R21 vintage page โ†’ (45.2% current pass rate)

1988 Renault R21 MOT Analysis

The 1988 Renault R21 has an MOT pass rate of 50.7% based on 347 tests โ€” below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 120,530 miles on the odometer. With a 49.3% failure rate, the 1988 R21 is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.

The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1988 Renault R21 is Steering, responsible for 1.7% of failures. Steering failures include excessive play in the steering wheel, leaking power steering fluid, worn track rod ends, and damaged steering rack. These affect vehicle control and are closely related to suspension wear. Typical repair costs range from ยฃ150โ€“600. Body, chassis, structure is the second most common issue at 1.2%. Non-component advisories follows at 1.2%.

Top failures specific to 1988 models only. The overall R21 page may show different rankings.

What Fails Most

Steering 1.7%
Non-component advisories 1.2%

What Fails on This Car?

Click a category to see specific failure items.

View as table
MOT failure categories ranked by failure rate
RankFailure CategoryRate (%)Count
1Steering1.7%6
2Body, Chassis, Structure1.2%4
3Non-component Advisories1.2%4
4Noise, Emissions And Leaks0.6%2

Failures per 10,000 Miles

avg. 120,530 mi

For every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.

Steering0.14% per 10K miBody & Structure0.10% per 10K miNon-component advisories0.10% per 10K miNoise, emissions and leaks0.05% per 10K mi
View as table
Mileage-normalised failure rates by category
CategoryRate / 10K miRaw %Count
Steering0.141.7%6
Body & Structure0.101.2%4
Non-component advisories0.101.2%4
Noise, emissions and leaks0.050.6%2

Mileage Statistics

120,530
Mean
124,502
Median
100,518
25th Percentile
157,531
75th Percentile
4.09% failures per 10K miles

Mileage-adjusted failure rate โ€” accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.

About This Data

The 1988 Renault R21 has an MOT pass rate of 50.7% based on 347 tests โ€” below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 120,530 miles on the odometer. With a 49.3% failure rate, the 1988 R21 is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.

If you own or are considering buying a 1988 Renault R21, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to steering: Check for excessive steering wheel play (more than a few inches of free movement). Listen for whining from the power steering pump. Look for fluid leaks under the car near the front wheels. With an average mileage of 120,530 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.

Steering โ€” 1.7% of failures

Steering issues account for 1.7% of MOT failures on 1988 Renault R21 models. Steering failures include excessive play in the steering wheel, leaking power steering fluid, worn track rod ends, and damaged steering rack. These affect vehicle control and are closely related to suspension wear. Typical repair costs: ยฃ150โ€“600. Pre-MOT check: Check for excessive steering wheel play (more than a few inches of free movement). Listen for whining from the power steering pump. Look for fluid leaks under the car near the front wheels.

Body, chassis, structure โ€” 1.2% of failures

Body, chassis, structure issues account for 1.2% of MOT failures on 1988 Renault R21 models. Body and structure failures include excessive corrosion, sharp edges, loose panels, and damage to the vehicle frame. Rust is the primary concern, especially on older vehicles or those exposed to road salt. Typical repair costs: ยฃ100โ€“500+. Pre-MOT check: Inspect sills, wheel arches, door bottoms, and the chassis for rust. Surface rust is acceptable but structural corrosion or holes will fail. Check that all doors, bonnet, and boot close securely.

Non-component advisories โ€” 1.2% of failures

Non-component advisories issues account for 1.2% of MOT failures on 1988 Renault R21 models. Non-component advisories issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: ยฃ100โ€“400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.

Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005โ€“2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.

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