Renault 25 - Checking MOT history on a French car

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Sat 7 Sep 2019 01:23
Renault 25 - Checking MOT history on a French car - Alfred Rees-Glinos
Hi there. I have seen a Renault 25 that I might be interested in purchasing. It’s French registered, so how might I go about checking the MOT history? Also, any advice regarding the Renault 25 in general from any previous owners? Many thanks
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Sat 7 Sep 2019 09:59
Renault 25 - Checking MOT history on a French car - Mchenry

This will tell you who the vehicle is registered to

https://histovec.interieur.gouv.fr/histovec/home

This will give its 'contrôle technique' history

http://www.utac-otc.com/infos-pratiques/demande-dhistorique

I haven't used either, do tell us if they work.

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Sat 7 Sep 2019 10:04
Renault 25 - Checking MOT history on a French car - mcb100
I think the first thing I’d do is try and find a suitable owners’ club who have direct experience of this at least 27 year old car. They’d be the best people to advise on known issues and parts availability.
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Sun 8 Sep 2019 00:13
Renault 25 - Checking MOT history on a French car - SLO76
Never ran one but did sell a couple in the 90’s without much bother. I loved blue collar big motors like this. I hate pretentious look at me I’m a snob prestige badges and often hanker back to the days of the dad car. Carlton, Granada, Rover 800, Toyota Camry, Fiat Croma etc etc.

The 25 was (V6 turbo aside) mechanically simple and largely quite robust. It resisted rot well too but age has killed almost every UK resident. The electrics however are terrible as is the flimsy interior. They rattled and squeaked from new. But they were soooo comfortable it was a price worth putting up with the minor irritations.

Automatic gearboxes suit it best but are sadly quite fragile so it’s likely most survivors will be manuals. The engines are quite prone to eating timing belts and HGF is fairly common too but any well cared for low mileage survivors are well worth preserving. I liked the 140bhp 12v 2.0 TXi which was fairly gutsy yet decent on fuel. It was barely any slower than the V6 on the road yet much cheaper to buy and run. Even the (UK) base model the GTS was well specified for the era. But it’ll be down to what’s available.

A similar car worthy of searching for would be the Safrane that followed it, particularly the 2.5 which used the tough as nails Volvo 5cyl motor with 170bhp. Volvo durability with Renault comfort.

Edited by SLO76 on 08/09/2019 at 00:19

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