Used buying checklist
Renault Clio reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Renault Clio looks worse than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 27.7% of 442,016 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
Start with suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 27.7% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 68,295 miles
- 122,496 failed MOT tests analysed
Suspension and steering is the clearest area to check
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (29.9 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include ball joint excessively worn, ball joint has excessive play, and play in steering rack inner joint(s).
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- ball joint excessively worn
- ball joint has excessive play
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)
- ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated
- ferrule excessively corroded
- excessively corroded
- corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened
- corroded and seriously weakened
- inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps
- slightly twisted
Focus on suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical
The model's recorded failure rate is 27.7%, +9.0 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed442,016 tests
- Median tested mileage68,295 miles
- Failed MOT tests122,496
Should you buy a used Renault Clio?
72.3% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 27.7%, +9.0 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical
- suspension and steering appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "ball joint excessively worn"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
Start with suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (29.9 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Renault Clio, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
The MOT failure rate rises from 16.1% at 0-3 years to 31.6% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (29.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (25.2 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (16.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (10.3 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (8.8 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Renault Clio, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (29.9 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Renault Clio mainly involve 6 areas: emissions, engine, and exhaust, suspension and steering, brakes, and lights and electrical. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Renault Clio, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 129,295 | 101,377 | 19.5%+8.7 percentage points vs all models | 35,323 miles |
| 50-100k | 224,428 | 153,950 | 30.3%+9.6 percentage points vs all models | 72,912 miles |
| 100-150k | 76,421 | 51,332 | 33.8%+7.6 percentage points vs all models | 114,751 miles |
| 150-200k | 7,812 | 5,207 | 34.4%+7.2 percentage points vs all models | 161,552 miles |
| 200k+ | 651 | 456 | 31.8%+5.2 percentage points vs all models | 215,932 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Renault Clio, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 16.1% at 0-3 years to 31.6% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 31.6% for 15+ years cars, based on 126,015 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
31 | 27 | 16.1%+7.7 percentage points vs all models | 2.9 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
53,885 | 44,884 | 14.5%+3.9 percentage points vs all models | 5.0 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
126,552 | 90,940 | 26.2%+9.6 percentage points vs all models | 8.1 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
135,533 | 91,942 | 30.8%+7.2 percentage points vs all models | 12.8 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
126,015 | 86,073 | 31.6%+5.7 percentage points vs all models | 17.0 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2026-03-04 | Front lower arm Bolts For certain vehicles and as a preventative measure there is concern involving the locking nuts in the area of the front suspension lower arm ball joints for where loosening of the fixings cannot be ruled out. Check of the tightening of the front suspension lower arm ball joint nuts and if necessary replace both nuts |
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| 2017-03-07 | WIPERS MAY NOT PERFORM AS INTENDED In sub-zero weather conditions the front windscreen blades arms may become frozen to the screen. In extreme circumstances when the wipers are activated the wiper arm linkage may weaken detach or bend. Should the linkage break or bend the wipers will not clear the screen effectively. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the wiper linkage with a more robustly designed linkage. |
| 2016-12-13 | REAR WHEEL MAY DETACH One of the rear axle bolts retaining the stub axle carrier on the left and/or right side may not have been correctly tightened.This could allow the stub axle to separate from it's mounting. On affected vehicles check bolt tightness. If necessary or if bolt(s) is/are missing replace the axle assembly. |
| 2016-02-14 | REAR SPOILER MAY DETACH The rear spoiler may detach at high speed due to high variance in temperature change. This is a result of a non-conformity with the production process. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected for inspection and where necessary rebonding. |
| 2016-02-14 | WHEEL MAY DETACHED The wheel retaining nuts may not have been tightened top the correct specification during assembly. Recall affected vehicles; Check and if necessary tighten wheel nuts to correct specification. |
| 2015-07-16 | REDUCTION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE It is possible that the front wheel liners have been incorrectly positioned giving potential for them to rub against the front brake hoses. This in turn could in rare circumstances cause increased brake pedal travel and affect the braking efficiency of the vehicle. This issue may be highlighted by a warning message Braking system fault and a warning light on the dashboard. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and inspect the front wheel arch liners and brake hoses. If they are found to be incorrectly positioned they will be replaced free of charge. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Renault Clio. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Renault reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.