What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used Renault R5.
The Renault R5 occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 5 known issues across the Renault R5 range, including 2 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Renault R5? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
R5_MkI (1981–1985) — Engine options included the 1.1 8v, 1.4 8v.
R5_MkII (1985–1996) — Engine options included the 1.1 8v, 1.4 8v, 1.4 8v. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 2 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Subframe and suspension mounting point structural failure (£800–£2,000 to address).
The load-bearing structure around suspension mounting points deteriorates through corrosion and stress cracking on 1990s Renault 5 models. MOT data shows this model fails at 3465.8 times the national fleet average for structural failure within 30cm of suspension mounting points. This affects the car's fundamental structural integrity and safety. The steel monocoque construction is particularly vulnerable where the rear axle mounts to the body shell and where front suspension turrets attach to the bulkhead.
Structural failure around suspension mounting points creates an immediate safety hazard. The suspension may detach from the body during driving, causing complete loss of vehicle control. Repair typically requires professional welding and structural reinforcement. Many examples are beyond economical repair when this occurs.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
Brake hose ferrules (the metal crimped fittings where flexible brake hoses connect to rigid brake lines) corrode at 117.4 times the fleet average on the Renault 5. The ferrules are made from mild steel that rusts when exposed to road salt and moisture. Corroded ferrules can separate under brake pressure, causing complete brake failure on the affected circuit. This is a critical safety defect that requires immediate attention.
Ferrule failure causes immediate and complete loss of braking on the affected circuit. On cars with front-rear split brake systems, this means total loss of either front or rear brakes. The car may be undriveable and presents an extreme safety hazard. Emergency repair requires immediate professional attention.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
Engine oil and transmission fluid leaks are significantly more common on the Renault 5 than the average car, with MOT data showing failures at Aging rubber seals, gaskets, and oil cooler connections deteriorate on these 1990s engines. The manual gearbox shares oil with the final drive and commonly leaks from the driveshaft seals and filler plug. Environmental MOT failures indicate leakage severe enough to pose safety risks to other road users.
Severe leakage can cause engine or gearbox damage through oil starvation. Oil on the road surface creates hazards for motorcyclists and other vehicles. Engine oil leaks may cause fire risk if oil contacts hot exhaust components. Transmission oil loss leads to gear selection difficulties and eventual gearbox failure.
Check the oil level before the engine is started. Ask the seller how often they top up the oil between services. After a test drive, check the level again and look behind the car for blue or grey exhaust smoke under acceleration.
Wheel bearings fail at 3465.8 times the national average on 1990s Renault 5 models. The front wheel bearings are particularly prone to wear, partly due to the lightweight construction and partly due to water ingress through aging seals. Failed bearings cause dangerous wheel wobble, steering instability, and can lead to wheel detachment in extreme cases. The rear drum brake models also show higher than average rear bearing failure rates.
Severely worn wheel bearings cause dangerous handling instability and steering pull. In extreme cases, bearing seizure can lock a wheel or cause wheel detachment. Failed bearings also damage the hub assembly, increasing repair costs if left unaddressed. The car should not be driven if bearing failure is suspected.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
Suspension bushes and joints wear at 401.6 times the fleet average on the Renault 5, making this one of the most commonly failed MOT items. The rear axle trailing arm bushes are particularly problematic, along with front anti-roll bar drop link bushes. The original rubber compounds have deteriorated with age, leading to excessive play that affects handling and causes MOT failures. This wear rate is significantly higher than comparable models from the same era.
Worn suspension bushes cause poor handling, increased tyre wear, and MOT failure. Severely worn components can affect vehicle stability and braking performance. While not immediately dangerous in most cases, the handling degradation means the car becomes less predictable in emergency situations.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Renault R5 common problems page.
Based on 4k real DVSA MOT tests, the Renault R5 fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is emissions failure at 260x the fleet average, followed by light unit fault (131x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Renault R5 MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 6k miles) typically costs £45–£65 at an independent garage.
See the full Renault R5 service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Renault R5 has some well-documented weak points, including 2 safety-critical issues that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Renault R5, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Renault R5 issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.