RENAULT CLIO Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 25,128 MOT tests from 1,744 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every RENAULT CLIO has the same fault.

RENAULT CLIO's have a average reliability rating of 499/999. The score was calculated from the average of every RENAULT CLIO that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the RENAULT CLIO.

RENAULT CLIO (example)

Check the reliability of your Renault Clio

Enter your registration to see the MOT history for this car.

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Dealer & service records
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Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel

Year

Reliability score

Avg mileage

Sample size

Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Petrol	2019	802/999Excellent	79,176 miles	6,719 vehicles
Diesel	2018	663/999Good	76,667 miles	3,513 vehicles
Petrol	2016	721/999Very good	81,019 miles	8,422 vehicles
Diesel	2015	557/999Above average	76,049 miles	7,129 vehicles
Petrol	2015	670/999Good	77,575 miles	11,236 vehicles
Diesel	2014	499/999Average	83,181 miles	5,252 vehicles
Petrol	2014	523/999Above average	88,563 miles	12,695 vehicles
Diesel	2011	469/999Average	86,106 miles	2,994 vehicles
Petrol	2011	498/999Average	85,364 miles	10,496 vehicles
Diesel	2010	428/999Average	88,822 miles	2,367 vehicles
Diesel	2009	407/999Average	81,861 miles	2,197 vehicles
Petrol	2009	432/999Average	93,319 miles	7,700 vehicles
Petrol	2008	402/999Average	82,417 miles	10,826 vehicles
Petrol	2005	370/999Fair	89,534 miles	21,643 vehicles
Diesel	2003	359/999Fair	83,379 miles	3,186 vehicles
Diesel	2002	369/999Fair	84,898 miles	3,640 vehicles
Petrol	2002	378/999Fair	85,276 miles	22,412 vehicles
Petrol	2001	395/999Fair	82,099 miles	24,588 vehicles
Petrol	2000	407/999Average	78,781 miles	23,855 vehicles
Petrol	1999	486/999Average	80,476 miles	4,387 vehicles
Petrol	1998	551/999Above average	82,397 miles	2,705 vehicles
Petrol	1995	594/999Above average	83,871 miles	1,765 vehicles

How reliable is the RENAULT CLIO?

Based on 25,128 MOT tests from 1,744 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

1,744

MOT tests

25,128

Pass rate

71.2%

Median mileage

77,293 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every RENAULT CLIO has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 618 out of 999.

Common RENAULT CLIO MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 4,909 advisory comments and 155 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 1,361 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 1,019 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Ball joint wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 833 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn or damaged ball joint. Track rod ends are counted with steering, not here.

What to inspect

Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM BALL JOINT EXCESSIVELY WORN (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 629 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 561 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 433 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT BRAKE PIPE CORRODED, COVERED IN GREASE OR OTHER MATERIAL (1.1.11 (C))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 359 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

RENAULT CLIO MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2026	7	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2025	22	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024	21	3	66.7%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	26	26	84.6%	Tyre wear
2022	15	33	87.9%	Tyre wear
2021	29	98	84.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2020	30	149	78.5%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2019	66	398	79.6%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2018	91	656	81.7%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2017	98	874	80.4%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2016	100	1073	73.3%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2015	150	1819	72%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2014	153	2089	70.5%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2013	129	1833	74.4%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2012	77	1275	68.2%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2011	93	1684	68.8%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2010	132	2489	69.7%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2009	81	1642	70.2%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2008	67	1490	68.3%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2007	71	1525	72.4%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2006	58	1308	71.6%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2005	40	966	67.6%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2004	34	841	68.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2003	23	603	67.8%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2002	21	497	71.8%	Oil leak, Brake disc wear

What to check when buying a used RENAULT CLIO

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Ball joint wear. Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Buying a RENAULT CLIO?

Common problems tell you what can affect RENAULT CLIOs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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