2013 Renault Clio 1.5L Diesel · AY63 HGF

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT test on 24 January 2025 with no advisories or defects recorded, which indicates a satisfactory roadworthiness condition at the time of examination. Looking back through the DVSA history, the pattern shows two earlier failures in December 2022 and December 2023, but in both cases the vehicle was retested and passed shortly afterwards, with the 2023-12-06 pass following just two days after the failure on 4 December 2023, and the 2022-12-07 pass recorded on the same day as a prior failure. The absence of any recorded advisories across all tests is unusual for a thirteen-year-old vehicle covering substantial mileage, and while a clean record is generally reassuring, the lack of advisories can sometimes indicate that wear items such as tyres, brake pads, and suspension components were simply replaced just before testing rather than being free from wear. Overall, the maintenance trend appears stable, with the vehicle consistently meeting minimum MOT standards and no recurring defects noted across four examinations. With 117,969 miles recorded over approximately thirteen years, this Renault Clio has covered roughly 9,075 miles per year on average, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of its age and reflects steady, regular use rather than long periods of standing or excessively high annual mileage. The absence of any recorded advisory items over the course of more than 100,000 miles of use is noteworthy, as one would normally expect at least some mention of tyre wear, brake component condition, or minor corrosion developing on a car of this vintage. Given the mileage, consumable items such as timing chains, clutch components, water pumps, and suspension bushes will have accumulated significant wear, and these areas are rarely captured on an MOT test. The mileage progression suggests the vehicle has been used as intended rather than left idle for extended periods, which generally benefits mechanical longevity but increases the likelihood of wear-related issues on items not covered by the MOT inspection regime. Given the age and mileage of this vehicle, a prospective buyer should carry out a number of physical checks that fall outside the scope of the standard MOT examination. Tyres should be inspected closely for sidewall perishing and cracking, as rubber compounds degrade with age regardless of tread depth, and original-equification tyres over six years old should be replaced as a matter of safety. Brake discs should be examined for corrosion around the edges and any lipping on the outer circumference, and the calipers should be checked for smooth operation as sticking or binding calipers are common on vehicles that have seen regular urban use. The exhaust system, particularly the flexible joints and mounting rubbers, is prone to corrosion on a thirteen-year-old Clio and should be tapped and visually inspected for signs of failure. Coolant, brake fluid, and gearbox oil should all be checked for condition and replacement intervals, as these fluids degrade with calendar age even in low-mileage vehicles, and any evidence of milky residue under the oil cap or excessive sludge could indicate head gasket concerns. On a test drive, particular attention should be paid to any knocking or clonking noises from the front suspension, which would suggest worn anti-roll bar drop links, wishbone bushes, or top mount bearings, all known wear items on the Clio of this generation. The gearbox should be evaluated for smooth selection across all gears with no synchro wear evident on downchanges, and the clutch should be assessed for slipping under load or any juddering when pulling away from rest. Listen for any ticking from the engine on startup, which could indicate hydraulic tappet issues or developing timing chain stretch, both recognised concerns on higher-mileage Clio engines. The steering should feel precise without clonking over bumps or vibration under braking, which would point to worn suspension components or brake disc run-out. Finally, verify that the service history is fully documented with regular oil and filter changes, confirm the age and health of the 12-volt battery, and ensure that the cam belt or timing chain replacement schedule has been adhered to in line with manufacturer recommendations, as neglect of these items can lead to catastrophic engine failure on a high-mileage vehicle of this age.