2015 Renault Clio 1.5L Diesel · DF65 BXL

The 2015 Renault Clio is currently roadworthy, having passed its most recent MOT on 21 January 2026 at 106,352 miles, but the maintenance trend is clearly worsening. That pass was only achieved after a failure on the same day at 106,349 miles, where the tester flagged a fractured offside front coil spring, a missing nearside steering rack gaiter, excessive free play at the inner rack end, and a severely deteriorated offside front CV boot. The coil spring fracture alone is a serious structural concern, indicating the suspension was operating in a compromised state. While the re-test passed, the underlying steering rack wear and gaiter absence suggest the front end has been neglected, and the root cause of the free play may not have been fully rectified. The mileage pattern is broadly typical for an 11-year-old car, averaging roughly 9,668 miles per year. However, the record shows a notable gap between January 2024 at 83,542 miles and February 2025 at 95,308 miles, representing 11,766 miles in just over 12 months, followed by an 11,044-mile jump to January 2026. This acceleration in recent use, combined with the cluster of failures in the latest tests, points to a period of harder driving or deferred maintenance after years of lighter use. The 2024 test was entirely clean, making the subsequent deterioration all the more striking. A buyer should focus the in-person inspection on the front suspension and steering. The fractured offside coil spring demands a thorough check of both front springs for cracks, sag, or corrosion, along with the top and lower mountings. The steering rack gaiter was missing at the January 2026 failure, and the inner rack end showed excessive free play, so the rack itself, inner and outer track ends, and tie rod joints need close examination for wear or contamination ingress. The offside front CV boot has been repeatedly flagged as severely deteriorated across multiple tests, meaning the joint may have been operating with inadequate lubrication and should be inspected for clicking under load or play. Beyond the flagged items, the rear brakes and exhaust system deserve attention given the mileage and age. The nearside obligatory mirror was noted as slightly damaged in the latest pass, which is minor but worth verifying for compliance. Tyre condition should be checked carefully, as a previous failure cited a sidewall cut on the nearside front, suggesting kerb damage or poor storage. Overall, the record suggests a car that was well maintained through 2024 but has slipped into a pattern of reactive rather than preventive maintenance. A full front-end inspection by an independent garage is strongly advised before purchase.