Renault 4
The Renault 4, or R4 in short, is an economy car built by the French company Renault from 1961 to 1994. Although it was first marketed as a short estate or wagon, its minimal rear body length, and its top-hinged, single-piece tail-gate means that it is now recognised as the world's first mass-produced hatchback.
| Manufacturer | Renault |
|---|---|
| Production | From 1961 |
| Body type | Hatchback |
New registrations by country (2025)
Number of Renault 4 cars registered for the first time across 2 European countries in 2025.
| Country | Registrations |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 844 |
| Denmark | 360 |
Source: EEA CO₂ monitoring (CC BY 4.0), 2025 data.
Generations
Other Renault models
Similar Hatchback models
Common problems & reliability
In the UK, 77% of Renault 4s pass their MOT test first time, based on 88 inspections in 2023. (2023 is the most recent annual release published by the DfT.)
Based on real owner complaints and inspection data — not an editorial rating. Sources: DVSA MOT (UK, Open Government Licence).
Recalls & safety
No recorded recalls for the Renault 4 in EU Safety Gate or NHTSA (US).
Sources: EU Safety Gate (European market) and NHTSA (US market). See all Renault recalls.