IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
1987–1989 Alpine Renault Alpine GTA

We've identified 3 known issues that can affect the 1987–1989 Alpine Renault Alpine GTA. 3 of these are serious faults that could be expensive to repair.

3
Known Issues
3
Serious
0
Moderate
0
Minor

All Known Issues

Steel Backbone Chassis and Rear Suspension Turret Corrosion

SeriousBodywork & Rust

Although the Alpine GTA features lightweight polyester and glassfibre composite exterior panels that do not rust, it is built over a tubular steel backbone chassis with structural outriggers. Trapped road salt and moisture beneath the bonded composite body cause severe structural corrosion, particularly around the rear suspension turrets, chassis outriggers, sills, and front bumper mountings. Because the body is permanently bonded over the metalwork, extensive rot can progress unseen until suspension alignment shifts or structural failure occurs at MOT inspection.

Est. Repair Cost: £1,500–£8,000
Warning Signs:

MOT failure for structural rust within 30cm of suspension attachment points, Flaking, delamination, and corrosion perforation along steel chassis outriggers and sills, Uneven rear ride height or creaking from the rear suspension under cornering load

What to Inspect:
  • Inspect the chassis on a two-post ramp, specifically examining rear suspension turrets and sill undersides
  • Examine the steel framework behind the front bumper and inner wheel arches for hidden rot
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Radiator Cooling Cowl Missing and Backbone Coolant Pipe Deterioration

SeriousCooling System

The Alpine GTA relies on a front-mounted radiator fed by an essential plastic cooling scoop beneath the aerodynamic nose cone. On many surviving examples, this cowl was discarded, damaged, or omitted during maintenance, severely restricting airflow to the radiator. Furthermore, the cooling pipes running through the central chassis backbone rust at their entry and exit points, while mid-mounted radiator unions cause lower-core silting. These cooling deficiencies trigger rapid coolant temperature spikes in traffic and risk cylinder head warpage.

Est. Repair Cost: £350–£1,800
Warning Signs:

Rapid coolant temperature rise in urban traffic or during prolonged hill climbs, Coolant loss and crusty corrosion deposits where coolant pipes enter the chassis backbone, Radiator cold spots indicating silting and blockages across the lower core

What to Inspect:
  • Verify that the plastic radiator scoop cowl is physically installed beneath the front nose
  • Check front and rear coolant pipe unions on the chassis backbone for rust perforation
  • Verify twin radiator electric cooling fans activate promptly as temperature reaches normal threshold
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

PRV V6 Cylinder Head Gasket Failure and Wet Liner Subsidence

SeriousEngine

The all-alloy PRV (Peugeot-Renault-Volvo) V6 engine utilised across the GTA range features wet cylinder liners seated on figure-of-eight base shims. Inadequate antifreeze renewal or thermal overheating causes the cylinder liners to subside or move relative to the engine block deck, compromising the cylinder head gasket seal. Once breached, combustion gasses pressurise the cooling circuit, producing emulsified oil in the crankcase, chronic overheating, and potentially terminal block distortion if driven while breached.

Est. Repair Cost: £1,200–£3,000
Warning Signs:

Coolant header tank bubbling and pressurising under acceleration, Emulsified milky oil sludge present underneath oil filler cap and on dipstick, Sweet-smelling white exhaust vapor on warm startup accompanied by persistent coolant loss

What to Inspect:
  • Perform a combustion gas chemical block test on the coolant expansion tank
  • Inspect engine block mating faces for external coolant and oil weeping
  • Review maintenance records for biennial coolant flushes using aluminium-safe inhibitor
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Buying Tips for 1987–1989 Alpine Renault Alpine GTA

  • Put the car on a hydraulic lift to examine the steel backbone chassis, rear suspension turrets, and sills for structural rot hidden under composite panels.
  • Verify that the plastic radiator cooling cowl beneath the front nose is intact and securely fitted to avoid catastrophic PRV V6 overheating.
  • On carburetted 2.85-litre V6 GT models, inspect the intricate vacuum piping on the twin Solex carburettors for leaks, or verify a Holley or Weber conversion.
  • Check the five-speed Renault UN1 transaxle service history for proof of 12,000-mile gear oil changes to prevent premature synchromesh wear.
  • Test the electronic instrument cluster and digital trip computer thoroughly, as speedometer drive failures and optimistic fuel readouts are prevalent.
19861990
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