How much does a 1990 RENAULT R5 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,737 (£145/month), including £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1990 RENAULT R5?

The 1990 RENAULT R5 has a 80% MOT pass rate based on 467 tests in 2026. This ranks 101 out of 190 cars from 1990.

Which year RENAULT R5 is most reliable?

The 1991 RENAULT R5 has the highest MOT pass rate at 81%. The least reliable year is 1995 at 70%.

RENAULT R5 (1990)

Q: Is the 1990 RENAULT R5 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 80% of RENAULT R5s from 1990 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 467 tests. That's 2 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1990 RENAULT R5?

The average mileage for a 1990 RENAULT R5 is 84,271 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 467 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,737

£145/month

MOT Pass Rate

80%

Good

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1397cc Petrol

Solid Option

80% pass rate, £1737/year to run. Close to the national average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific RENAULT R5

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol1397cc36 years old467 tests84k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1397cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1397cc

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,737

Per month£145/mo

Per week£33/wk

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

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this RENAULT R5

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

80% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 36 years old, 80% of RENAULT R5s from 1990 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 467 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 84,271 miles.

Got a RENAULT R5 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1990 cars101th of 190(top 53%)

Rank among RENAULT models322th of 636(top 51%)

vs national average-2%(82% avg)

vs 1990 cars average+1%(79% avg)

vs RENAULT average+0%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

84,271

Average miles

266,400

Expected for age

The average 1990 RENAULT R5 has 84,271 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.

Looking at a specific RENAULT R5?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1991 model with a 81% MOT pass rate, while the 1995 model has the lowest at 70%. The 1990 sits between the two at 80%.

RENAULT R5 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1996	71%	34	66,868 mi
1995	70%	74	54,870 mi
1994	74%	108	65,602 mi
1993	68%	44	89,581 mi
1991	81%	145	87,655 mi
1990	80%	467	84,271 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1991 · 1781cc Petrol

£1,867/year

80%

same

ROVER MINI

1990 · 998cc Petrol

£1,390/year

80%

same

FORD ESCORT

1990 · 1597cc Petrol

£1,677/year

85%

+5%

PEUGEOT 205

1990 · 1360cc Petrol

£1,572/year

80%

same

Check a Specific Renault R5

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 1990 RENAULT R5

The 1990 RENAULT R5 is a small family car with a 1397cc petrol engine. 467 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 1990, the average MOT pass rate is 79%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 84,271 miles at 36 years old, RENAULT R5 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 R5 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 £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1990 RENAULT R5?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,737 (£145/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 80% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

RENAULT R5 Reliability Trend

Older RENAULT R5s tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 9 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1990 RENAULT R5

At 36 years old, the RENAULT R5 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 1991 model has the highest pass rate at 81%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1990 RENAULT R5'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 84k 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 R5 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
RENAULT R5(1990)	80%	£1137	£195	Grp 8-20	£1737
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1991)	80%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867+£130
ROVER MINI(1990)	80%	£955	£30	Grp 1-8	£1390-£347
FORD ESCORT(1990)	85%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1677-£60
PEUGEOT 205(1990)	80%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1572-£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.