Renault 21 (1986 – 1994) Review

Renault 21 (1986 – 1994) At A Glance

Quite comfortable and very cheap now, roomy airy interior is a particular delight, as is the excellent suspension set-up

Buy with care. Repairs can easily cost more than the car is worth. Not very well built. Electrical and mechanical problems.

Renault 21 (1986 – 1994) Buying Guide

Good

• Cheap.
• 175 bhp Turbo and Turbo Quadra were flyers in their day.
• Comfortable enough but, apart from enthusiasts for the turbo, the market is not really interested unless the cars are seriously cheap.
• Two completely different drivetrains: 1.7 petrol engines were transverse, but everything else was longitudinal, overhanging the front wheels.
• Option of seven forward-facing seats with reasonable luggage space behind.
• Diesels are economical, but diesel range was complicated:
• 67 bhp 2068cc non-turbo from Jan-Sept 1989;
• 65 bhp 1870cc non-turbo from Sept '89-Oct 95;
• 88 bhp 2068cc turbo from Jan '89-Oct '90 and then again from Nov '93-Oct '95.

Bad

• Cheap, flimsy build.
• Quite a few parts are hard to get, such as rear discs for turbos and TXis.
• 19 model tended to be much stronger, better built and more reliable.
• Dashboards expensive to remove to replace bulbs or heater matrix.
• Automatics often troublesome.
• Two completely different drivetrains: 1.7 petrol engines were transverse, but everything else was longitudinal, overhanging the front wheels. Lousy ventilation - particularly bad for rearmost passengers on long hot summer journeys. 
• Not cheap to repair.
• Dashboards expensive to remove to replace bulbs or heater matrix. 
• Automatics can be troublesome. 
• In June 2001 Renault was rated by Motor Warranty Direct as Britain's joint 4th worst out of 22 marques for used car warranty claims (www.warrantydirect.co.uk)
• Most 21 Savannas likely to have been scrapped by 2011.

Watch

• Have to be cheap to be worth buying.
• Check all electrics carefully. Look for uneven front tyre wear.
• Check coolant for mayonnaise (blown head gasket).
• If has ABS, make sure it works.
• Sniff for fishy smell - a sure sign of a failed heater matrix (putting this right will cost a lot more than the car is worth).
• Mild steel retaining straps of plastic fuel tank rust through, leaving the tank to drop into the road with potentially dire consequences.
• Repaired accident damage (high used values used to make them worth repairing).
• Rust.
• Family and dog damage.
• Torn upholstery.
• Sagging suspension.
• Don't buy one that's been towing because seven occupied seats and a caravan is just too much