2003 Renault Clio · 20,854 MOT tests
2003 Renault Clio reliability
2003 Renault Clios fail 51.9% of first MOT tests, 27% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 4 of 24 Clio years (20,854 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
Looking at a 2003 Renault Clio?
See its own MOT history and mileage, free.
- first-time fail rate (all Renault Clios: 43.1%)
- 51.9%
- first-time fail rate (all Renault Clios: 43.1%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 27% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 84,240
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 20,854
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 21% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- 2004 cars: 27% more MOT fails than the average car its age (level)
- Weak spot: steering, 11.6% of tests fail here (227% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 12% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Renault Clio
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics30.2%
- Suspension22.2%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors12.2%
- Steering11.6%
- Brakes11.1%
- Body, chassis and structure9.8%
- Tyres7.7%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 7.45%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Coil spring fractured or broken 6.08%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Steering rack gaiter no longer sealed 6.02%
A damaged gaiter lets dirt into the steering rack, causing wear and possibly costly repairs later.
Registration plate lamp not working 5.43%
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 5.33%
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
CV joint boot split or insecure 5.07%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (16.93%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (16%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (10.25%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (10.04%) · Anti-roll bar linkage pin/bush worn (8.24%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (7.47%)
Other years
Every Renault Clio year
The full picture: Renault Clio reliability. Before you pay for any Renault Clio, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 Renault Clio reliable?
2003 Renault Clios fail 51.9% of first MOT tests, 27% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 4 of 24 Clio years (20,854 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Renault Clio MOT?
Most often headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (7.45% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (6.08% of tests), steering rack gaiter no longer sealed (6.02% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Renault Clio have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Renault Clio shows 84,240 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Check a 2003 Renault Clio free
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.