CarCostCheck

RENAULT R5 (1993)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 44 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,087

£174/month

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1390cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

68% pass rate, £2087/year to run. 14 points below average.

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Petrol1390cc33 years old44 tests90k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1390cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1390cc

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,087
Per month£174/mo
Per week£40/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

68% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the RENAULT brand average of 80%.

At 33 years old, 68% of RENAULT R5s from 1993 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 44 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 89,581 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1993 cars158th of 194(top 81%)
Rank among RENAULT models563th of 636(top 89%)
vs national average-14%(82% avg)
vs 1993 cars average-8%(76% avg)
vs RENAULT average-12%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

89,581

Average miles

vs

244,200

Expected for age

The average 1993 RENAULT R5 has 89,581 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 244,200 miles for a 33-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 1991 model with a 81% MOT pass rate, while the 1995 model has the lowest at 70%. The 1993 sits between the two at 68%.

RENAULT R5 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
199671%3466,868 mi
199570%7454,870 mi
199474%10865,602 mi
199368%4489,581 mi
199181%14587,655 mi
199080%46784,271 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 1993 RENAULT R5

The 1993 RENAULT R5 is a small family car with a 1390cc petrol engine. 44 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 81% of 1993 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 89,581 miles at 33 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.

1993 RENAULT R5 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 1993 RENAULT R5?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,087 174/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 68% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

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 1993 RENAULT R5

At 33 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%. Note: with only 44 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1993 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 90k 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 68% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 1993 RENAULT R5 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
RENAULT R5(1993)68%£1137£195Grp 8-20£2087
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1991)80%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£220
ROVER MINI(1993)74%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£365
MAZDA MX-5(1995)74%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017-£70
BMW 3 SERIES(1991)82%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£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.

Related Renault Models

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

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Renault R5.

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