Renault Clio MOT pass rate
In 2023, the Renault Clio passed 55.6% of its first MOT tests, from 326,522 tests in Great Britain. That is 15.8 points below the 71.4% average for all cars, taxis and light vans.
Most common Renault Clio MOT failures
The area that failed most often was suspension, affecting 20.5% of tests. The red line shows the average for all cars.
- Suspension 20.5% vs 8.9%
- Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 20.0% vs 11.3%
- Brakes 10.8% vs 6.8%
- Visibility 8.2% vs 4.8%
- Tyres 8.1% vs 6.3%
- Steering 6.1% vs 1.8%
- Body, chassis, structure 5.0% vs 3.4%
- Noise, emissions and leaks 3.1% vs 3.1%
- Coil spring 9.4% vs 2.6%
- Ball joint 8.2% vs 1.8%
- Position lamp 6.1% vs 2.8%
- Headlamp aim 5.9% vs 3.3%
- Washers 4.9% vs 2.5%
- Track rod end 4.8% vs 1.4%
- Tyres: condition 4.6% vs 3.7%
- Headlamp 4.4% vs 2.2%
Top reasons for failure
| Reason for failure | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Coil spring: Fractured or broken | 9.3% |
| Ball joint excessively worn | 7.1% |
| Position lamp: Not working | 5.6% |
| Track rod end: Ball joint has excessive play | 4.5% |
| Stop lamp: Not working | 3.6% |
| Headlamp aim: Projected beam image is obviously incorrect | 3.4% |
| Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | 3.2% |
| Headlamp: Not working on dipped beam | 3.1% |
| Washers: Provides insufficient washer liquid | 2.9% |
| Joints: Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 2.8% |
Renault Clio pass rate by age
The pass rate changes with age: 80.1% for cars aged 3 to 5 years and 47.6% for those aged 15 years or more. Older cars usually fail more often because parts like suspension, brakes and exhausts wear with time and mileage.
- 3 to 5 years 80.1% vs 71.4%
- 6 to 9 years 61.9% vs 71.4%
- 10 to 14 years 49.1% vs 71.4%
- 15 years or more 47.6% vs 71.4%
Pass rate by fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 256,449 | 55.7% |
| Diesel | 70,063 | 55.4% |
Most common Renault Clio advisories
Advisories do not fail the test, but they often become failures by the next MOT. These were noted most often:
- Tread depth 19.6%
- Brake discs 14.1%
- Tyres: condition 13.8%
- Vehicle 8.5%
- Rigid brake pipes 7.1%
- Engine oil leaks 6.0%
- Brake pads 5.4%
- Ball joint 4.4%
See MOT advisories explained for what to do about them.
How we worked this out
These figures come from DVSA's anonymised MOT testing data for 2023, covering every class 4 MOT test in Great Britain (cars, taxis and light vans). We count normal tests only, not retests. A test counts as a first-time pass if the vehicle passed without any repairs. Tests where defects were fixed at the test centre within an hour (PRS) count as fails, in line with DVSA's own statistics. Failure areas show the share of tests with at least one failure in that area, so the figures add up to more than the fail rate.
Other Renault models
Similar popular models
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Renault Clio?
In 2023, 55.6% of Renault Clio MOT tests were passed first time, from 326,522 tests in Great Britain. The average for all cars, taxis and light vans was 71.4%.
What is the most common MOT failure on the Renault Clio?
The most common failure area was suspension, which caused 20.5% of tests to fail. Next came lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (20.0%) and brakes (10.8%).
Is the Renault Clio reliable at its MOT?
Its first-time pass rate of 55.6% is 15.8 points below the average and ranks 97 of the 100 most-tested models. Age and mileage matter more than the model, so always check the history of the car you are buying.
How do I check a Renault Clio's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT history check. You will see every test, the mileage at each test and all failures and advisories.