1988 RENAULT R51.1L PETROL

The MOT record for this 1988 Renault R5 shows a clean pass on 69,820 miles on 6 April 2006 with no defects recorded. That is now over twenty years ago, so the record is of no practical use for assessing current roadworthiness. A vehicle of this age and condition must be inspected in person before any roadworthiness conclusion can be drawn. The recorded mileage of 69,820 miles has not moved since at least March 2006, when the same figure appears on the failure notice. With roughly 1,837 miles per year implied over thirty-eight years, the annual use is low. The complete absence of any mileage progression after 2006 suggests the car may have stood unused for a long period or had its meter replaced without further testing. No recent MOT entries exist to confirm whether the odometer reading is genuine or whether the vehicle has been driven since. The 2006 failure on 25 March at 69,820 miles flagged several mechanical and safety defects: excessive play in the offside front lower suspension ball joint, a split offside front constant velocity joint gaiter, insufficient windscreen washer fluid, incorrect rear tyre sizing on the same axle, exposed ply or cords on the nearside rear tyre, below-requirement service brake efficiency, and brake imbalance across an axle. These faults point to neglected front-end suspension and drivetrain components as well as a poorly maintained braking system. The subsequent April pass with no defects suggests the immediate failures were rectified, but the record gives no indication of long-term repair quality or ongoing care. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension ball joints, CV gaiters, brake hydraulics, discs, pads, and hoses, paying close attention to corrosion on subframes, sills, and floor panels given the car's age and possible long-term storage. Tyre condition, washer operation, and a full brake performance check on a roller are also essential. The lack of any MOT data after 2006 makes a thorough pre-purchase inspection and a fresh MOT the only reliable way to assess this vehicle's condition today.