2007 Renault Clio 1.4L Petrol · 5 GKB

The Renault Clio’s most recent MOT, passed on 3 November 2025 at 50,287 miles, confirms the vehicle remains roadworthy for the time being. However, the history reveals a concerning trend of mechanical failures, particularly in suspension and lighting components. The October 2024 failure—just 30 miles before the November 2024 test—highlighted an excessively worn offside front ball joint (5.3.4 (a) (i)), a critical suspension fault that should have been addressed before the next test. While the vehicle passed in November 2025 without defects, the recurrence of lighting issues (direction indicators and registration plate lamp) suggests either neglect or repeated poor maintenance. The nearside rear wheel distortion noted in 2023 and 2022 (5.2.2 (c) (i)) implies long-standing alignment or impact damage that may have persisted without proper correction. The recorded mileage of 50,287 miles over 19 years—approximately 2,647 miles annually—is unusually low for a vehicle of this age, indicating either minimal use or prolonged periods of inactivity. The largest gap between tests occurs between November 2024 and October 2023, where mileage jumped from 38,476 to 45,308 (6,832 miles in under a year), followed by a slower accumulation to 50,287 by November 2025. This pattern could reflect sporadic driving rather than consistent maintenance. The low mileage also raises questions about fluid changes, as prolonged standing increases the risk of degraded brake fluid, coolant, and power steering fluid, even if the vehicle passes MOT tests. A prospective buyer should prioritise an independent inspection of the suspension, particularly the offside front ball joint, which failed in October 2024. The repeated mention of rear wheel distortion (2022 and 2023) warrants checking for uneven tyre wear, misalignment, or subframe corrosion. Tyres should be examined for uneven tread patterns, as the 2023 nearside front tyre was worn close to the legal limit (5.2.3 (e)). Lighting components, including the rear direction indicators and registration plate lamp, should be tested for functionality, as these failures recurred in both 2024 tests. Finally, the vehicle’s underbody and wheel arches should be scrutinised for corrosion, especially around the nearside rear wheel area, where distortion was previously noted. Given the suspension failure history, a pre-purchase diagnostic focusing on bushings, coil springs, and binding calipers is strongly advised.