Renault Clio Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Renault Clio car check
Is the Renault Clio reliable? We analysed 14,729,048 real MOT tests across 1,134,954 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Renault Clio? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Renault Clio is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, track rod end ball joint has excessive play and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Renault Clio.
Renault Clio Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Renault Clio. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Renault Clio MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Renault Clio to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Renault Clio Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Renault Clio fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Renault Clio Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Renault Clio owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Renault Clio MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Renault Clio year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 61 | 86.9% | 11,786 | 20,487 | 34,467 |
| 2021 | 103 | 84.5% | 13,272 | 19,294 | 29,432 |
| 2020 | 261 | 82.0% | 18,691 | 28,957 | 41,456 |
| 2019 | 82,334 | 81.9% | 20,701 | 30,650 | 43,892 |
| 2018 | 131,176 | 80.9% | 21,802 | 32,897 | 47,660 |
| 2017 | 160,621 | 80.0% | 24,263 | 36,982 | 53,426 |
| 2016 | 215,257 | 76.4% | 27,038 | 41,190 | 59,245 |
| 2015 | 275,792 | 74.5% | 30,584 | 46,285 | 65,893 |
| 2014 | 340,147 | 73.9% | 33,828 | 51,178 | 72,074 |
| 2013 | 291,954 | 74.6% | 35,669 | 54,109 | 75,748 |
| 2012 | 256,192 | 70.5% | 34,320 | 53,385 | 75,844 |
| 2011 | 348,252 | 70.1% | 35,192 | 54,777 | 78,026 |
| 2010 | 547,670 | 69.3% | 36,859 | 57,999 | 82,548 |
| 2009 | 448,724 | 69.2% | 36,234 | 58,183 | 83,341 |
| 2008 | 576,066 | 68.7% | 39,323 | 61,424 | 86,380 |
| 2007 | 927,354 | 68.7% | 39,177 | 61,390 | 85,965 |
| 2006 | 965,194 | 69.2% | 39,700 | 62,202 | 87,029 |
| 2005 | 941,718 | 66.9% | 39,485 | 60,841 | 84,961 |
| 2004 | 1,215,307 | 65.7% | 40,232 | 61,492 | 85,504 |
| 2003 | 1,397,601 | 65.3% | 40,149 | 61,361 | 84,986 |
How Long Does a Renault Clio Last?
Based on 1,134,954 Renault Clio vehicles on UK roads.
Renault Clio Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Renault Clio MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Renault Clio
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
86.9% MOT pass rate from 61 tests
59.3% MOT pass rate from 86 tests
The best year to buy a used Renault Clio is 2022, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.9% across 61 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 59.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Renault Clio Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renault Clio THIS CAR | 67.1% | 14,729,048 | 62,807 mi | 33 yrs |
| Renault Megane | 67.3% | 7,306,346 | 70,453 mi | 30 yrs |
| Renault Laguna | 64.6% | 2,783,232 | 89,257 mi | 32 yrs |
| Renault Scenic | 69.5% | 2,489,721 | 55,729 mi | 26 yrs |
| Ford Escort | 63.1% | 4,961,191 | 64,483 mi | 38 yrs |
Compared to the Renault Megane (67.3% pass rate) and the Renault Laguna (64.6% pass rate), the Renault Clio sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Renault Clio you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Renault ClioShould you buy a used Renault Clio?
The Renault Clio has an overall MOT pass rate of 67.1% across 14,729,048 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Renault Clio are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (660,730 recorded failures), track rod end ball joint has excessive play (412,067), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (387,794). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Renault Clio owner drives around 5,436 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Renault Clio models stay on UK roads for around 33 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.