2010 Renault Clio 1.1L Petrol · CL10 MMW

The most recent DVSA examination on 2 December 2022 resulted in a pass, though the inspector recorded four advisories that warrant careful attention before purchase. Looking at the broader pattern, the maintenance trend is best described as mixed but with a recognisable deterioration around the suspension, exhaust, and tyre condition areas. The 2020 and 2021 tests both recorded failures involving fractured rear coil springs, excessive front ball joint wear, dangerously low tread depth on both front tyres, an excessively worn outer drive shaft joint, and ineffective wiper operation, which together suggest that this Clio has not been consistently fettled in the intervening period. The fact that the 2022 test passed with advisories rather than fresh failures indicates some remedial work has been completed, but the persistence of the same families of defect across consecutive tests should not be overlooked. Against a vehicle age of roughly sixteen years, the recorded mileage of 97,817 miles equates to an annual average of approximately 6,114 miles, which is broadly typical for a small hatchback of this vintage used primarily for short urban journeys. There is no glaring anomaly in the recorded mileages between tests, although the absence of a 2023, 2024, 2025, or 2026 entry in the supplied history is notable and you should verify whether the vehicle has been used off-road, SORN, or whether recent tests have simply not been uploaded to the DVSA database. Low to moderate annual mileage of this nature, particularly when accumulated in stop-start urban conditions, tends to concentrate wear on the clutch, brakes, and lower suspension components rather than on the engine internals, so mechanical sympathy will depend very much on how the car has been driven and stored. The advisories from the 2022 test are particularly informative for the prospective buyer. Both front lower suspension arm bushes were noted as worn or splitting, and although they were not deemed to have resulted in excessive movement at the time of test, these rubber components typically progress from a worn state to a failure point within one further MOT cycle, so a thorough inspection of the front suspension is essential. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocking from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and check for uneven tyre wear across the front axle which often accompanies deteriorating wishbone bushes. The nearside rear tyre was also flagged for sidewall cracking and perishing, and although tyres can be replaced, the underlying point is that a sixteen year old vehicle on its original or ageing tyres is at risk of dry rot regardless of tread depth, so all four tyres should be inspected for sidewall crazing and the manufacturing date code checked. The exhaust mounting rubber on the nearside rear was recorded as splitting, which can develop into a hanging or rattling exhaust if left unattended, and the deteriorated front registration plate is a minor but easily resolved issue. A new MOT will be required imminently given today's date, and the combination of worn front suspension bushes and ageing tyres means that a fresh advisory or failure in these areas would not be unexpected. Beyond the documented advisories, several age and usage related items deserve proactive inspection on any sixteen year old Clio regardless of the MOT outcome. Brake discs are particularly susceptible to corrosion pitting and lip formation on cars that see mixed urban and standing use, and seized or binding calipers are common; a test drive should include several progressive stops from around 30 mph to check for pulling, shuddering through the steering wheel, or a soft pedal. The 12V battery health should be tested, as batteries in vehicles of this age typically require replacement every four to five years and a weak unit can mask or mimic electrical faults similar to those flagged in 2019. Coolant, brake fluid, and gearbox oil all degrade by calendar age rather than mileage alone, so verify the service book stamps and request evidence of recent fluid changes, particularly noting that brake fluid should be renewed every two years regardless of use. Finally, inspect the underbody and inner wheelarches for corrosion, as the Clio of this generation is known to suffer from structural rust in the rear wheelarch and sill areas, and check the drive shaft gaiters and CV joints for splits or grease loss, given the history of outer drive shaft joint wear recorded at the 2020 test.