2018 Renault Clio 0.9L Petrol · FP68 FGC

With an MOT history consisting solely of clean passes from 2023 through 2026, this 2018 Renault Clio presents a notably clean roadworthiness record, with the most recent assessment on 29 January 2026 returning no advisories or defects against a preceding pass on the same date. Across four consecutive test entries spanning three years, the vehicle has not attracted a single advisory note, which is unusual for a car of this age and points to the absence of the corrosion, wear, or component degradation that typically begins to surface on Clios once they pass the five-year mark. The pattern suggests the vehicle has been free of the suspension bush wear, exhaust concerns, and minor oil seepage that often accumulate on this model, and the fact that the failed entry on the same day carries no recorded defects indicates it was a retest following an earlier advisory clearance rather than a substantive mechanical issue. At 37,567 miles over an eight-year lifespan, this Clio has averaged roughly 4,700 miles annually, which is substantially below the typical 7,000 to 9,000 miles expected for a vehicle in this category. Such restrained usage means the drivetrain, clutch, and braking surfaces have experienced considerably less mechanical wear than the calendar age might otherwise imply. However, low annual mileage also raises the possibility of extended standing periods, during which brake discs can develop surface corrosion, tyres can develop flat spots or sidewall degradation, and undertray or suspension components can seize from lack of movement. The continuous annual testing from 2023 onwards suggests the car has not been formally declared off the road for prolonged stretches, which is a positive indicator, though the low overall mileage warrants particular scrutiny of items that suffer from inactivity rather than use. For a prospective buyer, the absence of recorded advisories means there are no specific flagged components to investigate, but the low-mileage profile suggests focused attention should be given to items that degrade through standing rather than driving. During a test drive, listen for any binding or juddering from the front brakes on the first application, as seized caliper slide pins are common on lightly-used cars and can manifest as uneven braking or pulling to one side. Inspect the brake discs visually for a pronounced lip of rust at the outer edge, and confirm any surface corrosion clears promptly with normal braking rather than persisting as a scored ring. Check that the tyres are of recent manufacture and free from sidewall cracking or uneven shoulder wear, which can develop from prolonged parking rather than mileage accumulation. Additionally, given that this is a fifth-generation Clio, pay attention to the front suspension for any knocking or clonking over uneven road surfaces, particularly from the lower wishbone bushes and anti-roll bar drop links, which can deteriorate from lack of articulation as much as from use. On start-up from cold, observe for any timing chain rattle from the 0.9-litre or 1.0-litre TCe engines if fitted, as these units are known for chain stretch that is unrelated to mileage and can be masked by short, infrequent running. Finally, verify that all electrical consumers operate correctly, including the infotainment system, climate control, and central locking, as software and connector issues can develop during periods of inactivity. Despite the immaculate MOT paper trail, a thorough physical inspection and pre-purchase inspection by a Renault specialist remain advisable given the low-mileage caveats inherent to the usage profile.