2017 Renault Clio 1.5L Diesel · CF17 MYC

This 2017 Renault Clio presents a mixed mechanical picture, defined less by clean roadworthiness and more by a pattern of front-end issues emerging over the past three MOT cycles. The 2026 test outcome is particularly telling: a fail was recorded on the same day as the pass, with majors cited for an offside front headlamp aim that was too low and a nearside front tyre that was not fitted in accordance with sidewall instructions. While the headlamp issue is likely a simple adjustment, the tyre fitment is a more concerning flag, as it suggests either a mismatched replacement tyre has been fitted or installation error has occurred, both of which raise questions about the standard of recent tyre work. The 2025 test reinforces a developing front suspension theme, with a fractured offside front coil spring causing that year's fail, accompanied by advisories for a nearside front tyre worn smooth on the inner edge and front brake pads and discs beginning to show wear. Taken together, the 2022 advisory for slight play in the nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint, the 2025 coil spring fracture, and the 2026 headlamp geometry issue point toward a front axle that is being monitored closely rather than one with an unblemished record. Tests in 2023 and 2024 returned clean passes with no advisories, so the deterioration appears to have begun within the last 18 months of testing. Mileage accumulation across nine years of age stands at 66,745 miles, equating to roughly 7,400 miles annually, which sits in the middle of the typical band for a car of this vintage and class. There are no extended gaps in the testing history that would suggest prolonged off-road storage, and the consistent year-on-year presentation at MOT stations indicates regular use. For a Clio of this mileage, the wear items already documented in the record, particularly the front brake components and suspension, are broadly consistent with what one would expect, though the coil spring failure is worth noting as it can sometimes be indicative of harsh usage or simply age-related metal fatigue on a nine-year-old vehicle. For a prospective buyer, the front suspension and braking components flagged across multiple tests should form the primary focus of any physical inspection. The 2022 advisory for slight play in the nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint is particularly relevant; with two years having elapsed since that record, any deterioration would typically manifest as a knocking or clonking noise from the front end when traversing speed humps, potholes, or uneven road surfaces, along with possible vagueness in steering response or uneven front tyre wear. A careful inspection of the front tyres for asymmetric or inner-edge wear, as previously noted in 2025, would help determine whether the suspension geometry has remained within tolerance or whether the ball joint wear has progressed. The fractured offside front coil spring from 2025 would have been replaced at the time, but the remaining springs, particularly the nearside front, should be checked for any signs of sagging or corrosion, as coil spring failures on ageing superminis are not uncommon and a vehicle sitting low on one corner is a clear visual indicator. Brake-related test drive checks should focus on the front end given the 2025 advisories for thinning front pads and worn front discs. Any pulsation felt through the steering wheel or brake pedal under firm application would suggest disc warping, potentially linked to the worn discs previously recorded, while a spongy pedal or pulling to one side under braking could indicate caliper binding or uneven pad wear. The headlamp aim failure on the 2026 test, although likely a simple manual adjustment on most Clios, should be verified as correctly set on any viewing, as poorly aimed headlamps can both fail an MOT and compromise night-time visibility. Finally, the rear tyres should be inspected for the cracking and perishing noted in the 2021 advisory, as rubber deterioration of this nature progresses with age regardless of tread depth, and a vehicle nine years old with original-equivalence-age tyres is a reasonable area to query.