Is the 1990 RENAULT R21 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 94% of RENAULT R21s from 1990 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 34 tests. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 1990 RENAULT R21 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,897 (£158/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1990 RENAULT R21?

The 1990 RENAULT R21 has a 94% MOT pass rate based on 34 tests in 2026. This ranks 12 out of 190 cars from 1990.

RENAULT R21 (1990)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1990 RENAULT R21?

The average mileage for a 1990 RENAULT R21 is 111,405 miles, which is significantly below the expected 266,400 miles for a 36-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 34 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,897

£158/month

MOT Pass Rate

94%

Excellent

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1721cc Petrol

Great Choice

94% pass rate, £1897/year to run. 12 points above average.

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Petrol1721cc36 years old34 tests111k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1721cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1721cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,897

Per month£158/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

94% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the RENAULT brand average of 80%.

At 36 years old, 94% of RENAULT R21s from 1990 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 34 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 111,405 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1990 cars12th of 190(top 6%)

Rank among RENAULT models74th of 636(top 12%)

vs national average+12%(82% avg)

vs 1990 cars average+15%(79% avg)

vs RENAULT average+14%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

111,405

Average miles

266,400

Expected for age

The average 1990 RENAULT R21 has 111,405 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 266,400 miles for a 36-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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RENAULT R21 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1991	90%	40	85,393 mi
1990	94%	34	111,405 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1991 · 1781cc Petrol

£1,867/year

80%

-14%

BMW 3 SERIES

1990 · 1990cc Petrol

£1,867/year

84%

-10%

ROVER MINI

1991 · 1275cc Petrol

£1,572/year

80%

-14%

FORD ESCORT

1990 · 1597cc Petrol

£1,677/year

85%

-9%

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About the 1990 RENAULT R21

The 1990 RENAULT R21 is a family car with a 1721cc petrol engine. 34 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 6% of all 1990 cars for reliability.

With an average of 111,405 miles at 36 years old, RENAULT R21 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 R21 Fuel Costs

The 1721cc 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 1990 RENAULT R21?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,897 (£158/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 94% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Buying a Used 1990 RENAULT R21

At 36 years old, the RENAULT R21 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 34 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1990 RENAULT R21's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 36 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 111k 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 1990 RENAULT R21 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
RENAULT R21(1990)	94%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£1897
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1991)	80%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867-£30
BMW 3 SERIES(1990)	84%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867-£30
ROVER MINI(1991)	80%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1572-£325
FORD ESCORT(1990)	85%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1677-£220

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.