2016 Renault Clio 0.9L Petrol · DR02 ACK

The vehicle most recently underwent an MOT examination on 18 August 2026, where it initially failed on a Major defect concerning a fractured or broken nearside rear coil spring, accompanied by an advisory noting that the offside front tyre was worn close to the legal limit and worn on its edge. Following rectification, the vehicle subsequently passed the same day, retaining only the tyre advisory. Reviewing the broader MOT history, the maintenance trend appears to be worsening, with the 2025 test similarly recording multiple Major defects including fractured coil springs, incorrectly aimed headlamps, and a missing road wheel fixing, alongside the 2024 test carrying several advisories relating to the parking brake, wiper blades, coolant level, and split shock absorber covers. The recurrence of suspension-related defects, particularly fractured coil springs on both nearside front and nearside rear positions across consecutive tests, suggests an ongoing wear concern that warrants careful inspection rather than a one-off failure. With the odometer reading 90,181 miles on a 2016 vehicle, the recorded annual mileage equates to approximately 9,018 miles per year, which sits broadly in line with national averages for a car of this age. There are no significant unexplained gaps between MOT records, indicating consistent usage, though the relatively modest annual figure suggests the vehicle is likely used for shorter journeys and urban driving rather than sustained high-speed motorway use. This pattern of usage tends to accelerate wear on components such as brake discs and pads through frequent low-speed stops, can promote exhaust corrosion from short running cycles that prevent the system from fully drying out, and places additional strain on the 12V battery due to repeated shallow discharge cycles. For a prospective buyer, the fractured coil springs recorded on both the nearside front and nearside rear within the testing period indicate that the suspension should be the primary area of mechanical focus. Coil spring failures of this nature are typically caused by metal fatigue and are often accompanied by audible clonks or knocking over uneven surfaces, uneven tyre wear particularly on the inner or outer edges due to altered camber, and a perceptible reduction in ride quality or stability during cornering. A thorough test drive should include driving over speed humps, rough tarmac, and undulating roads while listening for suspension noise, and a visual inspection from beneath the vehicle should confirm that all four springs are intact with no visible cracks, sagging, or broken coils. The advisories from the 2024 test relating to split shock absorber covers should also be investigated, as damaged gaiters permit contamination of the damper internals by dirt and moisture, accelerating seal degradation and leading to hydraulic fluid leakage or premature damper failure. The headlamp aim issues recorded in the previous year further suggest that the vehicle's headlamp adjustment mechanism may have been disturbed or worn, and a buyer should verify that both headlamps illuminate with the correct beam pattern and projection. Given the vehicle's age and the wear pattern evident in its MOT history, additional inspection priorities should include a careful examination of the brake system, particularly the rear calipers and handbrake mechanism, since the parking brake travel advisory suggests possible cable stretch or caliper binding. The nearside rear tyre advisory from 2025 regarding damage, cracking, or perishing points towards age-related rubber degradation, and although the current offside front tyre advisory was addressed at the recent test, all four tyres should be inspected for tread depth, sidewall cracking, and manufacturing date codes, as tyres fitted around 2016 may now be approaching the end of their service life regardless of remaining tread. The low coolant level advisory warrants verification that the cooling system has been properly topped up and that there is no evidence of leaks from hoses, the radiator, or the water pump. Finally, given that the vehicle is now ten years old, it is prudent to confirm the date of the most recent cambelt or timing chain service, the condition and age of the 12V battery, the state of all brake fluid, and whether the engine oil and filter have been changed at manufacturer-recommended intervals, as calendar-based degradation of these fluids and components can be just as consequential as mileage-driven wear.