2009 Renault Clio 1.1L Petrol · FE59 PLV

The 2009 Renault Clio presents a stable and improving maintenance trend, culminating in a clean pass on 2 October 2025 at 63,449 miles with zero defects recorded. That result marks a notable step forward from the preceding years, where testers flagged suspension and steering wear alongside minor electrical faults. The most recent test confirms the vehicle currently meets all roadworthiness standards, though the history reveals a pattern of deferred minor items rather than serious structural neglect. The mileage profile is exceptionally low for a seventeen-year-old vehicle, averaging roughly 3,732 miles per year. Between the October 2024 test at 59,275 miles and the October 2025 test at 63,449 miles, the car covered 4,174 miles in twelve months, which is slightly above the long-term average but still modest. The record shows no dramatic gaps or sudden accumulation that would suggest odometer tampering or prolonged standing, though the low annual use means components such as rubber bushes, seals, and tyres may have aged through time rather than mileage. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension and steering, given the recurring advisories in this area. In October 2023 at 54,928 miles, the tester flagged slight play in the offside track rod end ball joint and corrosion on the offside upper MacPherson strut mounting, with the top mount bearing also showing slight play. The nearside track rod end dust cover was found insecure during the October 2024 failure test, meaning dirt ingress could have accelerated joint wear since. Have a garage check both track rod ends, top mount bearings, and coil spring seats for play, corrosion, or deterioration, particularly on the offside where corrosion was previously noted. The oil leak advisory recorded in November 2022 at 51,982 miles was described as not excessive, but any oil leak on a seventeen-year-old engine warrants a close look at the cam cover gasket, oil filter housing, and crankshaft seals. Inspect the engine bay and under the car for fresh weeping or staining. The minor electrical defects from 2024, a faulty nearside indicator and registration plate lamp, appear to have been resolved for the 2025 pass, yet a buyer should still verify all exterior lights, indicators, and number plate illumination function correctly on the day of inspection.