How much does a 1990 RENAULT TRAFIC cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,397 (£200/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

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

The 1990 RENAULT TRAFIC has a 64% MOT pass rate based on 504 tests in 2026. This ranks 181 out of 190 cars from 1990.

Which year RENAULT TRAFIC is most reliable?

The 2002 RENAULT TRAFIC has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%. The least reliable year is 1991 at 59%.

RENAULT TRAFIC (1990)

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

The average mileage for a 1990 RENAULT TRAFIC is 79,676 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 504 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,397

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

64%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1721cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

64% pass rate, £2397/year to run. 18 points below average.

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Petrol1721cc36 years old504 tests80k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1721cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1721cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,397

Per month£200/mo

Per week£46/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

64% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 18 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the RENAULT brand average of 80%.

At 36 years old, 64% of RENAULT TRAFICs from 1990 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 504 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 79,676 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1990 cars181th of 190(top 95%)

Rank among RENAULT models616th of 636(top 97%)

vs national average-18%(82% avg)

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

vs RENAULT average-16%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

79,676

Average miles

266,400

Expected for age

The average 1990 RENAULT TRAFIC has 79,676 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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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2002 model with a 94% MOT pass rate, while the 1991 model has the lowest at 59%. The 1990 sits between the two at 64%.

RENAULT TRAFIC by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	95%	41	45,342 mi
2020	82%	201	70,208 mi
2019	81%	12,056	70,463 mi
2018	79%	13,004	83,333 mi
2017	77%	17,196	93,614 mi
2016	75%	23,776	101,544 mi
2015	74%	21,250	109,947 mi
2014	72%	13,474	120,058 mi
2013	71%	8,542	133,819 mi
2012	70%	9,250	140,116 mi
2011	68%	12,762	142,106 mi
2010	69%	11,152	150,690 mi
2009	69%	6,575	150,068 mi
2008	68%	9,061	151,542 mi
2007	69%	9,074	154,963 mi
2006	68%	8,146	156,522 mi
2005	68%	6,057	156,799 mi
2004	67%	4,893	156,061 mi
2003	68%	3,079	152,990 mi
2002	94%	5,279	123,882 mi
2001	72%	107	150,406 mi
1999	56%	45	86,501 mi
1998	72%	129	72,790 mi
1997	68%	383	76,233 mi
1996	71%	559	76,673 mi
1995	70%	512	83,515 mi
1994	65%	533	80,976 mi
1993	64%	592	79,986 mi
1992	63%	694	88,962 mi
1991	59%	499	85,068 mi
1990	64%	504	79,676 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1991 · 1781cc Petrol

£1,867/year

80%

+16%

BMW 3 SERIES

1990 · 1990cc Petrol

£1,867/year

84%

+20%

ROVER MINI

1991 · 1275cc Petrol

£1,572/year

80%

+16%

FORD ESCORT

1990 · 1597cc Petrol

£1,677/year

85%

+21%

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About the 1990 RENAULT TRAFIC

The 1990 RENAULT TRAFIC is a family car with a 1721cc petrol engine. 504 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 95% of 1990 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 79,676 miles at 36 years old, RENAULT TRAFIC 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 TRAFIC 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 TRAFIC?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,397 (£200/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 64% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

RENAULT TRAFIC Reliability Trend

Newer RENAULT TRAFICs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 4 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1990 RENAULT TRAFIC

At 36 years old, the RENAULT TRAFIC 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 2002 model has the highest pass rate at 94%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1990 RENAULT TRAFIC'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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 64% 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 1990 RENAULT TRAFIC stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
RENAULT TRAFIC(1990)	64%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2397
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1991)	80%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867-£530
BMW 3 SERIES(1990)	84%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867-£530
ROVER MINI(1991)	80%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1572-£825
FORD ESCORT(1990)	85%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1677-£720

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.