RENAULT CLIO2012 · 1.1L PETROL

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history reveals a trend of reactive repairs rather than preventative care. The most recent test in September 2025 at 74,297 miles passed despite an advisory for offside front play in the steering rack inner joints. This indicates a mechanical wear that has not yet been addressed, suggesting the owner only rectifies faults when they reach a point of failure or are flagged as immediate risks during the MOT process. The mileage profile is notably low for a 14-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 5,300 miles per year. However, there is a significant surge in usage between September 2024 and September 2025, where the car covered 26,684 miles in just twelve months. This contrasts sharply with the previous period where the car covered only 12,809 miles over the course of nearly two years. This rapid increase in mileage likely explains the deterioration of the rubber components and the accelerated wear seen on the tyres noted in the later tests. A buyer must pay closely to the structural integrity of the front end and the suspension. The May 2022 failure identified heavy corrosion on the front radiator support panel and corrosion on both front MacPherson struts. While these were not marked as seriously weakened at that time, rust on low-mileage vehicles often progresses quickly during stationary periods. The previous failure of the nearside front ball joint in that same test and the current steering rack play suggest that the front suspension geometry is reaching the end of its functional life. Physical inspection should also focus on the condition of the tyres and rubber boots. The record shows recurring issues with perishing tyres and a severely deteriorated CV boot in 2024. Given the car's age and low annual mileage, dry rot in rubber components is a higher risk than tread wear. The buyer should verify that the steering inner joints have been replaced since the last advisory and ensure the current tyres are not aged or showing cracked sidewalls, which have been a persistent theme in this vehicle's history.