Renault 5 (1990)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 53 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,033

£169/month

MOT Pass Rate

89%

Good

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1397cc Petrol

Solid Option

89% pass rate, £2,033/year to run. 7 points above average.

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Petrol1397cc36 years old53 tests77k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1397cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£230

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,033

Per month£169/mo

Per week£39/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

89% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Renault brand average of 80%.

89% of MOT tests on Renault 5s from 1990 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 34 years old. That's based on 53 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 77,060 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1990 models24th of 182(top 14%)

Rank among Renault models185th of 615(top half)

vs average of all models+7%(82% avg)

vs 1990 models average+10%(79% avg)

vs Renault average+9%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

77,060

Average miles

251,600

Expected for age

The average 1990 Renault 5 had 77,060 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 251,600 miles for a 34-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Similar Cars to Consider

Volkswagen Golf

1991 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,411/year

80%

-9%

Rover Mini

1990 · 998cc Petrol

£1,810/year

80%

-9%

Ford Escort

1990 · 1597cc Petrol

£2,178/year

85%

-4%

Peugeot 205

1990 · 1360cc Petrol

£2,033/year

80%

-9%

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About the 1990 Renault 5

The 1990 Renault 5 is a small family car. Our records list a 1397cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 53 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 14% of all 1990 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 77,060 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Renault 5 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1990 Renault 5 Fuel Costs

The 1397cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1990 Renault 5?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,033 (£169/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 89% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Buying a Used 1990 Renault 5

At 36 years old, the Renault 5 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. Note: with only 53 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1990 Renault 5 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Renault 5(1990)	89%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,033
Volkswagen Golf(1991)	80%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,411+£378
Rover Mini(1990)	80%	£1,175	£230	Grp 1-8	£1,810-£223
Ford Escort(1990)	85%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,178+£145
Peugeot 205(1990)	80%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,033same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1990 Renault 5

Is the 1990 Renault 5 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 89% of MOT tests on 1990 Renault 5s ended in a pass, from 53 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1990 Renault 5 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,033 a year (£169 a month): £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1990 Renault 5?

89% of 53 MOT tests on the 1990 Renault 5 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 24th of 182 models first registered in 1990 (top 14%).

What is the average mileage for a 1990 Renault 5?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1990 Renault 5 is 77,060 miles, which is significantly below the expected 251,600 miles for a 34-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.