2007 Renault Clio 1.1L Petrol · FE07 YJG

The 2007 Renault Clio presents a mixed maintenance picture, with a clear pattern of recurring corrosion and suspension defects that the most recent MOT pass has not fully resolved. The car passed on 20 November 2025 at 159,259 miles, but two minor advisories regarding child seat interference with adult seatbelts and a passenger seat slider locking mechanism remain unresolved. Crucially, the 2025 pass came with no corrosion or suspension failures, suggesting some remedial work was carried out between late 2024 and late 2025. However, the underlying trend across the 2023 and 2024 tests shows a vehicle that has struggled with structural rust and worn suspension components for several years, and the absence of a full clean bill of health in any recent test means a buyer should treat the current pass cautiously rather than as evidence of thorough upkeep. The mileage accumulation is broadly typical for a 19-year-old vehicle, averaging roughly 8,382 miles per year across its 159,259 recorded miles. The annual tests from 2023 to 2025 show incremental gains of approximately 2,866 miles between November 2023 and November 2024, then a more pronounced jump of 7,408 miles between November 2024 and November 2025. That sharper increase in the most recent twelve months could indicate heavier use or a change in ownership pattern, and it places additional stress on components that were already flagged as corroded or worn in earlier inspections. The record is consistent with annual testing and shows no suspicious gaps, but the mileage acceleration warrants closer scrutiny of high-wear items. A buyer inspecting this Clio in person should focus first on the front subframe and suspension mounting points. The November 2024 failure and re-test both flagged corrosion on the nearside front suspension component mounting area of the subframe, and while the 2025 test passed without this being mentioned, surface corrosion on a 19-year-old front subframe rarely disappears permanently without proper treatment. Check for fresh underseal or paint that might be masking ongoing corrosion, and inspect the offside mounting point with equal care. The support member below the radiator was noted as heavily corroded in the November 2023 failure, and there is no record of it being explicitly repaired, so its current structural integrity should be verified visually. The rear suspension also demands attention. The November 2023 test flagged corroded shock absorbers on both rear corners and a corroded offside rear coil spring, along with a major exhaust leak at the rear silencer. These were rectified sufficiently to pass in 2024 and 2025, but corroded coil springs and shock absorbers on a car now approaching 160,000 miles are consumable items that may need replacement again soon. Inspect the exhaust system from the catalytic converter back for any fresh leaks or patching, and check the anti-roll bar linkage dust covers, which were flagged as no longer sealing against dirt ingress in the November 2024 failure. Finally, verify the operation of all lamps and the passenger seat locking mechanism, as these minor faults from the 2025 test have not been addressed and could indicate deferred basic maintenance.