Renault R5 (1996)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 34 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,183

£182/month

MOT Pass Rate

71%

Average

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1390cc Petrol

Check Carefully

71% pass rate, £2,183/year to run. 11 points below average.

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Petrol1390cc30 years old34 tests67k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1390cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£230

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,183

Per month£182/mo

Per week£42/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

71% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 11 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Renault brand average of 80%.

71% of MOT tests on Renault R5s from 1996 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 28 years old. That's based on 34 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 66,868 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1996 models178th of 243(bottom half)

Rank among Renault models453rd of 615(bottom half)

vs average of all models-11%(82% avg)

vs 1996 models average-4%(75% avg)

vs Renault average-9%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

66,868

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1996 Renault R5 had 66,868 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-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?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1991 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 81%, while the 1994 model has the lowest at 74%. The 1996 scores 71%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

Mazda MX-5

1998 · 1597cc Petrol

£2,328/year

75%

+4%

BMW 3 Series

1998 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,561/year

79%

+8%

Nissan Micra

1998 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,383/year

69%

-2%

Toyota Starlet

1998 · 1332cc Petrol

£2,183/year

75%

+4%

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About the 1996 Renault R5

The 1996 Renault R5 is a small family car. Our records list a 1390cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 34 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 1996, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 66,868 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, 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.

1996 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 £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1996 Renault R5?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,183 (£182/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 71% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Renault R5 Reliability Trend

The Renault R5 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 3 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1996 Renault R5

At 30 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 34 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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.

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 1996 Renault R5 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Renault R5(1996)	71%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183
Mazda MX-5(1998)	75%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328+£145
BMW 3 Series(1998)	79%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561+£378
Nissan Micra(1998)	69%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,383+£200
Toyota Starlet(1998)	75%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1996 Renault R5

Is the 1996 Renault R5 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 71% of MOT tests on 1996 Renault R5s ended in a pass, from 34 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 11 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1996 Renault R5 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,183 a year (£182 a month): £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1996 Renault R5?

71% of 34 MOT tests on the 1996 Renault R5 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 178th of 243 models first registered in 1996 (bottom half).

Which year Renault R5 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1991 Renault R5 has the highest MOT pass rate at 81% and the 1994 the lowest at 74%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1996 Renault R5?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1996 Renault R5 is 66,868 miles, which is significantly below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.