The picture
Clio's 66% Pass Rate Masks Suspension Wear
Only 66.57% of Renault Clios pass their MOT first time — one of the lower rates in the supermini class across 442,016 tests. Fractured springs and worn suspension pins and bushes account for two of the top three failure points, suggesting suspension wear accelerates at typical UK urban mileages. One 2020 Clio automatic suffered complete gearbox failure on a motorway, requiring a full transmission repair under warranty. For used buyers, ask specifically about suspension history, check rear number plate lamp function (a consistent advisory item), and treat any firm ride on 17-inch wheels as a sign the spring condition needs scrutiny.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
34,402 occurrences · 7.8% of tests
- 02
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
26,106 occurrences · 5.9% of tests
- 03
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
19,144 occurrences · 4.3% of tests
- 04
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
16,691 occurrences · 3.8% of tests
- 05
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
16,556 occurrences · 3.7% of tests
- 06
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
13,198 occurrences · 3.0% of tests
- 07
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
11,582 occurrences · 2.6% of tests
- 08
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
9,703 occurrences · 2.2% of tests
- 09
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
9,393 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
- 10
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
9,334 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 4 failures
£248–£755
If every one of this Clio's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Owner reports · Honest John
What owners actually report.
Verbatim faults logged by owners on honestjohn.co.uk over recent years. We didn't summarise — these are the words people typed in.
What's good
Trendy looks, an impressive cabin and low running costs mean the Renault Clio is a very desirable little car, even if it's not quite as refined as a Volkswagen Polo.
Where it falls short
Hybrid models are expensive. Limited engine line-up. Firm ride on 17-inch alloy wheels.
Recent owner-reported faults
- 5 May 2021
Report of automatic gearbox failure on 2020 Clio. The car went into overdrive twice in the space of a week. Then, on a motorway journey, a red stop sign flashed and the gearbox failed. Transmission is being repaired under warranty. Compare new Renault Clio deals Buy new from £16,134(list price from £17,995) View offers
Source: honestjohn.co.uk · 1 reports indexed
Buying or keeping a Clio?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Clio and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.