2012 Renault Clio · 49,565 MOT tests
2012 Renault Clio reliability
2012 Renault Clios fail 51.2% of first MOT tests, 62% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 22 of 24 Clio years (49,565 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Renault Clios: 43.1%)
- 51.2%
- first-time fail rate (all Renault Clios: 43.1%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 62% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- 69,990
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 49,565
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2012 against the years either side
- 2011 cars: 54% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does worse)
- 2013 cars: 42% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does worse)
- Weak spot: steering, 8.8% of tests fail here (314% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 22% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2012 car carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
Common problems
What fails on a 2012 Renault Clio
Fail rate by area
- Suspension28.1%
- Lights and electrics27.7%
- Brakes9.4%
- Steering8.8%
- Tyres7.7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.1%
- Body, chassis and structure4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Coil spring fractured or broken 15.33%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Position lamp not working 7.41%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 7.05%
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
Stop lamp not working 6.63%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 6.39%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 4.25%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (16.04%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (11.16%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (9.31%) · Brake pads wearing thin (4.54%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (4.28%) · Track rod ball joint slight play (3.8%)
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 2012 Renault Clio reliable?
2012 Renault Clios fail 51.2% of first MOT tests, 62% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 22 of 24 Clio years (49,565 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2012 Renault Clio MOT?
Most often coil spring fractured or broken (15.33% of tests), position lamp not working (7.41% of tests), track rod end ball joint excessively worn (7.05% of tests).
How many miles should a 2012 Renault Clio have done?
At its MOT aged about 11, a typical 2012 Renault Clio shows 69,990 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2012 car?
A car first registered in 2012 carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
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