2016 Renault Clio 1.5L Diesel · DX16 PVU

The 2016 Renault Clio passed its most recent MOT on 31 October 2025 at 86,453 miles, but the maintenance trend is concerning rather than reassuring. That test followed a failure on the same day, where the tester flagged an offside front position lamp and an offside rear stop lamp not working, alongside a corroded nearside front brake pipe and perishing rear tyres. The pass was clearly achieved after remedial work, yet the underlying pattern shows recurring brake pipe corrosion and tyre degradation that has persisted across multiple test cycles. The vehicle is roadworthy today, but the record suggests a pattern of reactive repairs rather than proactive upkeep. The mileage progression tells a story of consistent but slightly below-average use for a ten-year-old car. The vehicle covered roughly 8,645 miles per year, moving from 71,078 miles in November 2023 to 79,438 miles by November 2024, then jumping to 86,453 miles by October 2025. That final year saw nearly 7,000 miles added in under twelve months, a notable acceleration compared to the prior annual average. The gap between the November 2024 pass and the October 2025 re-test is short, and the fact that the car failed and passed on the same day suggests the owner was scrambling to clear the certificate rather than maintaining the car continuously. Buyers should focus their inspection on the braking system and suspension components. Corroded front brake pipes have appeared in every MOT since November 2023, with the offside front pipe flagged as excessively corroded in the November 2024 failure. The offside rear service brake was also binding on one side during that same test, and the offside parking brake was inoperative, pointing to uneven caliper or cable issues that may not have been fully resolved. Rear coil springs were flagged as corroded on both sides in November 2023, and this structural corrosion risk warrants a close visual check underneath the car, particularly around mounting points and lower arms. Under trays fitted at the 2023 test may be hiding further corrosion or oil leaks, so removal is advisable during any pre-purchase inspection. Tyre condition has been a recurring advisory theme, with cracking, perishing, and edge wear appearing repeatedly on both axles. The front brake discs were worn and pitted in November 2024, and the pads were wearing thin at that point, suggesting the braking system has been running close to its service limits. A test drive should assess whether the car pulls under braking, whether the handbrake holds on a gradient, and whether there is any judder through the pedal that would indicate warped discs. The electrical faults from the October 2025 failure were minor lamp issues, but a full lighting check is still prudent given the pattern of small defects slipping through between tests.