Small car · 1996–2021 cars
Renault Clio reliability
The Renault Clio fails 43.1% of first MOT tests, 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 1,085,668 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Renault Clio before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 43.1%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 44% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 1,085,668
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,200
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
What this means for buyers
Based on 1,085,668 MOT tests from 2022 to 2024, the Renault Clio ranks 55 of 63 small car models. Its first-time MOT fail rate is 43.1%, against 28.4% for all cars. It has 44% more MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. Its best year was 2021, with 20% more MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage.
A Clio can still be a good buy if you check the right things. Steering is its weakest area, with 214% more fails than cars of the same age and mileage. Before you buy, check for the most common MOT failures: a broken coil spring (7.43% of tests), worn suspension ball joints (6.22%), a faulty position lamp (4.8%) and worn track rod end ball joints (4.11%). Ask for the MOT history, and check each of these on the car.
MOT fail rate by age
How the Renault Clio ages
Each point is the share of Renault Clios of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Renault Clio | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 16.1% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 19.5% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 25.5% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 31.9% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 37.7% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 40.8% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 43.9% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 46.6% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 50.3% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 52% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 52.7% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 52.7% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 53% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 53.3% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 53.6% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 53.5% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 52% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 50.5% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 49.1% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 50.2% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 48.9% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 49.7% | 37.1% |
| 25 | 48.9% | 35.8% |
By year
The best and worst Renault Clio years
2021 cars come out best and 2016 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Clio | 3,529 | 13.4% | 20% more fails | 21,872 |
| 2020 Clio | 18,535 | 15.2% | 33% more fails | 23,439 |
| 2019 Clio | 47,953 | 20% | 56% more fails | 28,380 |
| 2018 Clio | 68,796 | 21.5% | 51% more fails | 32,540 |
| 2017 Clio | 66,778 | 26.6% | 58% more fails | 39,659 |
| 2016 Clio | 76,320 | 35.8% | 83% more fails | 46,670 |
| 2015 Clio | 81,971 | 40% | 74% more fails | 55,333 |
| 2014 Clio | 88,133 | 42.6% | 61% more fails | 63,311 |
| 2013 Clio | 68,004 | 42% | 42% more fails | 69,152 |
| 2012 Clio | 49,565 | 51.2% | 62% more fails | 69,990 |
| 2011 Clio | 60,264 | 52.7% | 54% more fails | 74,743 |
| 2010 Clio | 82,318 | 52.3% | 42% more fails | 80,631 |
| 2009 Clio | 59,004 | 51.9% | 35% more fails | 82,953 |
| 2008 Clio | 59,567 | 52.8% | 30% more fails | 88,344 |
| 2007 Clio | 76,357 | 53.3% | 29% more fails | 89,061 |
| 2006 Clio | 60,279 | 53.5% | 28% more fails | 89,864 |
| 2005 Clio | 36,033 | 53.4% | 29% more fails | 87,062 |
| 2004 Clio | 30,439 | 52.8% | 27% more fails | 87,579 |
| 2003 Clio | 20,854 | 51.9% | 27% more fails | 84,240 |
| 2002 Clio | 13,964 | 48.7% | 21% more fails | 83,244 |
| 2001 Clio | 8,162 | 49% | 27% more fails | 77,949 |
| 2000 Clio | 4,455 | 50.2% | 35% more fails | 76,406 |
| 1999 Clio | 2,829 | 50.6% | 45% more fails | 69,073 |
| 1998 Clio | 1,168 | 47.5% | 45% more fails | 60,708 |
| 1997 | 287 | 47% | 49% more fails | 58,633 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Renault Clio
Its weak spot is steering: 214% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension19.5%99% above avg
- Lights and electrics19.4%60% above avg
- Brakes10.5%47% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.1%63% above avg
- Tyres8%30% above avg
- Steering6.2%214% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure4.9%27% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3%13% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags2.4%116% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken 7.43% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 6.22% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 3
Position lamp not working 4.8% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 4
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 4.11% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 5
Stop lamp not working 3.06% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 6
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.95% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 7
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.8% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 8
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.67% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Renault Clio's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit15.48%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking10.38%
- Brake disc pitted or scored9.91%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy6%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive5.22%
- Brake pads wearing thin4.7%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Renault Clio
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Suspension ball joint excessively worn
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 3
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 4
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Renault Clio covers about 7,200 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol78.3%
- Diesel21.6%
- Hybrid0.1%
- LPG0%
- Electric0%
Most common colours
Black, Red, Blue, Silver, White
Average engine size: 1.2 litres.
Compare
How the Renault Clio compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Honda Jazz | 25.7% | 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Audi A1 | 21.3% | 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Toyota Yaris | 28.9% | about average for its age |
| Skoda Fabia | 29.5% | 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Micra | 36.3% | 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SEAT Ibiza | 33.6% | 21% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Clio | 43.1% | 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Renault models.
Questions
Renault Clio questions, answered
Is the Renault Clio reliable?
On MOT results, the Renault Clio is well below average: it fails 43.1% of first MOT tests, 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 55 of 63 small car models in our index.
What fails most on a Renault Clio MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Renault Clio are coil spring fractured or broken (7.43% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (6.22% of tests), position lamp not working (4.8% of tests). By area, suspension fails 19.5% of its tests.
Which Renault Clio year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2021 cars do best (20% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2016 cars do worst (83% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Renault Clio do a year?
A typical Renault Clio covers about 7,200 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Renault Clio before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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