CarCostCheck

RENAULT LAGUNA (1997)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 73 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,197

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

74%

Average

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1783cc Petrol

Check Carefully

74% pass rate, £2197/year to run. 8 points below average.

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Petrol1783cc29 years old73 tests101k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1783cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1783cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500
Total per year£2,197
Per month£183/mo
Per week£42/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

74% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 8 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the RENAULT brand average of 80%.

At 29 years old, 74% of RENAULT LAGUNAs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 73 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 100,561 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars184th of 320(top 57%)
Rank among RENAULT models398th of 636(top 63%)
vs national average-8%(82% avg)
vs 1997 cars average-1%(75% avg)
vs RENAULT average-6%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

100,561

Average miles

vs

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 RENAULT LAGUNA has 100,561 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-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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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1999 model with a 81% MOT pass rate, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 66%. The 1997 sits between the two at 74%.

RENAULT LAGUNA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201274%512127,283 mi
201174%2,824121,700 mi
201071%3,357126,378 mi
200973%2,332122,795 mi
200872%3,679125,529 mi
200769%1,734121,131 mi
200669%914105,379 mi
200569%678103,544 mi
200467%733101,379 mi
200366%543100,007 mi
200271%331101,960 mi
200179%8988,563 mi
200073%191100,555 mi
199981%328103,095 mi
199867%11495,734 mi
199774%73100,561 mi
199681%52104,369 mi

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About the 1997 RENAULT LAGUNA

The 1997 RENAULT LAGUNA is a family car with a 1783cc petrol engine. 73 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1997, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 100,561 miles at 29 years old, RENAULT LAGUNA 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.

1997 RENAULT LAGUNA Fuel Costs

The 1783cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 RENAULT LAGUNA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,197 183/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 74% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

RENAULT LAGUNA Reliability Trend

Older RENAULT LAGUNAs tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 3 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1997 RENAULT LAGUNA

At 29 years old, the RENAULT LAGUNA 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. If you're flexible on year, the 1999 model has the highest pass rate at 81%. Note: with only 73 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 RENAULT LAGUNA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 29 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

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.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 101k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

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 1997 RENAULT LAGUNA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
RENAULT LAGUNA(1997)74%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2197
MAZDA MX-5(1999)73%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£370
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)71%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017-£180
NISSAN MICRA(1999)70%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£475
BMW 3 SERIES(1998)79%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017-£180

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Renault Models

Explore other Renault cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

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