Renault Clio MOT pass rate and common problems
64.7% of 464,685 Renault Clio MOT tests pass.
At 64.7%, the Clio passes slightly less often than the average across all Renault models (69.5%).
The Renault Clio passes 64.7% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Renault Clio?
This is the average across every Renault Clio in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Renault’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Renault Clio tested at 0–3 years pass 90.8% of the time, compared with just 56.5% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 90.8% | 8,831 | 22,198 miles |
| 3–6 years | 83.5% | 60,583 | 34,711 miles |
| 6–10 years | 68.2% | 127,742 | 58,163 miles |
| 10–15 years | 59.1% | 139,787 | 81,057 miles |
| 15+ years | 56.5% | 127,742 | 90,475 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Renault Clio
The most common reason the Renault Clio fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 61.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 61.2% | Not working |
| Suspension | 49.9% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Brakes | 34.5% | Excessively binding |
| Tyres | 20.7% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 17.8% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Steering | 13.9% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Body, chassis, structure | 11.8% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.6% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 4.6% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Road Wheels | 1.0% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Renault Clio: what to check
These checks follow the Renault Clio’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Renault Clio comes between 3–6 years and 6–10 years old, from 83.5% to 68.2%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 85.8% down to 71.4%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 61.2% of failed Renault Clio MOTs. 43.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.4% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 49.9% of failed Renault Clio MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 27.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 34.5% of failed Renault Clio MOTs. 17.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 2.2% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 20.7% of failed Renault Clio MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 17.8% of failed Renault Clio MOTs. 11.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 2.6% at 0–3 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Renault service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Renault models
- Renault Captur — 82.8% pass rate
- Renault Trafic — 66.6% pass rate
- Renault Megane — 63.5% pass rate
- Renault Kadjar — 83.4% pass rate
- Renault Kangoo — 62.7% pass rate
- Renault Scenic — 62.7% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Renault Clio?
- 64.7% of Renault Clio MOT tests pass, based on 464,685 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Renault Clio?
- The most common reason the Renault Clio fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 61.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Renault Clio?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Renault Clio are lights and electrics; suspension; brakes. 43.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.4% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Renault Clio?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; brakes; tyres; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Renault Clio's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Renault service history guide for how to check and keep one.