2007 Renault Clio 1.5L Diesel · FN57 JGZ

The vehicle presents a stable roadworthiness profile, though the most recent inspection indicates a lapse in preventative maintenance. After three years of clean passes between September 2021 and September 2023, the Clio failed its September 2024 test at 138,892 miles. While the vehicle passed immediately upon re-test, the presence of multiple anti-roll bar linkage failures suggests that the owner only addresses faults upon MOT failure rather than performing proactive mechanical checks. The mileage pattern is remarkably consistent for a 19-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 7,300 miles per annum. Between September 2021 and September 2024, the car covered 16,221 miles, showing steady use rather than long periods of neglect or bursts of heavy commuting. This consistent usage is generally positive for the drivetrain, though the age of the vehicle means rubber components and seals are likely to degrade regardless of the relatively low mileage. A physical inspection must focus heavily on the front suspension geometry, as the 2024 failure flagged split dust covers on the anti-roll bar linkage ball joints on both the nearside and offside. A buyer should check for play in these joints and inspect the rubber bushings for tearing, which often occurs alongside linkage wear. The failure also noted defective windscreen wiper blades, a minor consumable issue that reinforces the trend of ignoring basic maintenance items until they trigger an official test failure. Given the vehicle's age, a thorough check of the structural integrity around the sills and wheel arches is essential, as these are common corrosion points for this model. While the MOT record does not list recent corrosion advisories, the presence of a child seat obstructing belt inspections in 2024 indicates that certain areas may be overlooked. Ensure the adult seatbelts are fully functional and that the mounting points show no signs of structural rust that the tester might have missed due to the obstruction.