Renault Clio: what fails at MOT
410,000 MOT tests on the Renault Clio in 2024, counted. 40.7% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
40.7% of Renault Clio tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 28.5%, so the Clio does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on suspension (12.8% of tests), lights and electrics (12.5% of tests) and brakes (7.3% of tests). It fails on suspension, lights and electrics and brakes more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13,742 | 11.9% | 10.9% | 19,500 12,600 to 29,500 |
| 2020 | 16,042 | 14.8% | 11.5% | 24,000 16,600 to 34,000 |
| 2019 | 25,550 | 21.6% | 13.4% | 32,200 23,500 to 43,400 |
| 2018 | 28,961 | 24.6% | 15.6% | 38,900 28,300 to 51,600 |
| 2017 | 27,663 | 29.5% | 18.2% | 46,100 33,500 to 60,200 |
| 2016 | 31,098 | 37.8% | 21.3% | 52,800 39,100 to 68,900 |
| 2015 | 32,593 | 40.8% | 24.4% | 61,800 46,500 to 78,500 |
| 2014 | 34,355 | 43.6% | 27.7% | 69,500 53,400 to 88,400 |
| 2013 | 26,251 | 42.0% | 30.6% | 75,400 58,700 to 94,000 |
| 2012 | 18,201 | 51.2% | 33.4% | 75,100 56,500 to 94,900 |
| 2011 | 22,052 | 52.7% | 36.1% | 80,000 60,700 to 99,900 |
| 2010 | 29,383 | 52.5% | 38.6% | 84,900 64,600 to 106,700 |
| 2009 | 20,352 | 51.1% | 39.8% | 87,000 65,500 to 108,500 |
| 2008 | 19,941 | 52.8% | 41.5% | 91,200 70,900 to 113,100 |
| 2007 | 24,882 | 52.9% | 41.5% | 92,000 71,300 to 112,500 |
| 2006 | 19,315 | 53.5% | 42.4% | 92,200 70,400 to 112,900 |
| 2005 | 10,682 | 53.2% | 42.2% | 88,200 64,900 to 112,100 |
| 2004 | 9,241 | 51.6% | 42.3% | 88,700 64,500 to 112,900 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Renault Clio tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Clio | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 12.8% | 6.6% | More than most |
| Lights and electrics | 12.5% | 8.1% | More than most |
| Brakes | 7.3% | 4.9% | More than most |
| Tyres | 5.7% | 4.3% | More than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 5.3% | 3.2% | More than most |
| Steering | 4.0% | 1.4% | More than most |
| Body and structure | 3.5% | 2.6% | More than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.9% | 2.3% |
The parts that fail most
- Ball joint5.8%
- Coil spring5.0%
- Tyre4.1%
- Headlamp aim3.8%
- Side light3.7%
- Track rod end3.4%
- Washers3.1%
- Brake light2.7%
- Headlamp2.6%
- Driveshaft joint2.3%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Ball joint: excessively worn5.5%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken5.0%
- Side light: not working3.5%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.2%
- Brake light: not working2.3%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.2%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.1%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.1%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.0%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.9%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge13.8%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing8.7%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.6%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material5.4%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.8%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive3.6%
- Ball joint: has slight play3.2%
- Wheel: slightly distorted2.7%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
Check a Renault Clio's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.