How much does a 1997 RENAULT MEGANE cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,887 (£157/month), including £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 RENAULT MEGANE?

The 1997 RENAULT MEGANE has a 76% MOT pass rate based on 153 tests in 2026. This ranks 143 out of 320 cars from 1997.

Which year RENAULT MEGANE is most reliable?

The 2020 RENAULT MEGANE has the highest MOT pass rate at 88%. The least reliable year is 2004 at 66%.

RENAULT MEGANE (1997)

Q: Is the 1997 RENAULT MEGANE reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 76% of RENAULT MEGANEs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 153 tests. That's 6 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 RENAULT MEGANE?

The average mileage for a 1997 RENAULT MEGANE is 82,236 miles, 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.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 153 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,887

£157/month

MOT Pass Rate

76%

Average

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1390cc Petrol

Check Carefully

76% pass rate, £1887/year to run. 6 points below average.

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Petrol1390cc29 years old153 tests82k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1390cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1390cc

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£1,887

Per month£157/mo

Per week£36/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

76% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 6 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the RENAULT brand average of 80%.

At 29 years old, 76% of RENAULT MEGANEs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 153 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 82,236 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars143th of 320(top 45%)

Rank among RENAULT models375th of 636(top 59%)

vs national average-6%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average+1%(75% avg)

vs RENAULT average-4%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

82,236

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 RENAULT MEGANE has 82,236 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 2020 model with a 88% MOT pass rate, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 66%. The 1997 sits between the two at 76%.

RENAULT MEGANE by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2022	86%	36	48,492 mi
2021	87%	1,286	32,847 mi
2020	88%	2,526	39,612 mi
2019	87%	4,883	42,735 mi
2018	86%	3,613	50,742 mi
2017	83%	8,849	61,637 mi
2016	80%	8,941	68,131 mi
2015	76%	12,406	81,732 mi
2014	71%	13,728	89,656 mi
2013	71%	14,134	94,541 mi
2012	71%	17,649	100,114 mi
2011	70%	25,760	102,094 mi
2010	69%	31,167	106,119 mi
2009	71%	19,161	108,465 mi
2008	68%	11,102	102,196 mi
2007	68%	12,029	99,693 mi
2006	67%	6,822	100,922 mi
2005	67%	4,212	97,221 mi
2004	66%	2,138	100,225 mi
2003	71%	1,476	97,801 mi
2002	71%	2,646	94,998 mi
2001	73%	1,731	95,603 mi
2000	71%	726	92,251 mi
1999	74%	390	80,794 mi
1998	73%	246	78,962 mi
1997	76%	153	82,236 mi
1996	85%	34	58,237 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

-3%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

-5%

VAUXHALL CORSA

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,390/year

89%

+13%

NISSAN MICRA

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£1,722/year

70%

-6%

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About the 1997 RENAULT MEGANE

The 1997 RENAULT MEGANE is a small family car with a 1390cc petrol engine. 153 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 beats that benchmark.

With an average of 82,236 miles at 29 years old, RENAULT MEGANE 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 MEGANE Fuel Costs

The 1390cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 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 MEGANE?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,887 (£157/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 76% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

RENAULT MEGANE Reliability Trend

Newer RENAULT MEGANEs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 7 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1997 RENAULT MEGANE

At 29 years old, the RENAULT MEGANE 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 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 88%.

Common Issues to Watch For

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

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

Medium risk

With an average of 82k 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 MEGANE stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
RENAULT MEGANE(1997)	76%	£1137	£195	Grp 8-20	£1887
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£60
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017+£130
VAUXHALL CORSA(1999)	89%	£955	£30	Grp 5-15	£1390-£497
NISSAN MICRA(1999)	70%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£165

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.