1996 Renault Clio 1.8L Petrol · N790 BKO

The Renault Clio currently fails the roadworthiness test. The most recent MOT on 14 July 2025 at 57,681 miles returned a fail with no defects recorded, an administrative or presentation anomaly that leaves the car legally unroadworthy until retested. Prior to that, the test history shows a stable pattern: passes in October 2021 (53,430 miles), October 2022 (54,170 miles), and November 2023 (56,180 miles), with a single fail on 4 October 2023 at 56,171 miles also showing no recorded defects. The trend was resolving until the latest unexplained failure. The odometer reads 57,681 miles against a 1996 build, an average of roughly 1,923 miles per year. The car sat lightly used across three decades. Gaps in the record are minor: 56,171 to 56,180 miles were covered between the October and November 2023 tests, and only 1,501 miles accrued from October 2022 to November 2023. Low annual use suggests long stationary periods, which typically accelerate rubber perishing, brake caliper seizure, and underbody corrosion rather than drivetrain fatigue. A buyer must commission a physical inspection before purchase. The DVSA entries flag no advisories on suspension bushes, coil springs, brake discs, exhaust emissions, or structural integrity across the timeline. That clean sheet is unusual for a 30-year-old hatchback and may reflect superficial testing or genuine preservation. Given the 2025 fail with zero defects logged, verify the VIN presentation, lamp operation, and tester notes at the testing station. Inspect sills, subframes, and suspension mounts for hidden rust, and confirm brake calipers are not binding after prolonged disuse. The sparse record offers no evidence of neglected consumables, but low mileage alone does not certify mechanical soundness on a vehicle of this age.