2017 Renault Clio 1.5L Diesel · GA02 AJA

A recurring pattern of front suspension and tyre wear dominates the mechanical history of this 2017 Renault Clio, with the front ball joint and nearside/offside front tyres repeatedly flagged across multiple tests. The most recent MOT on 22 November 2025 was a pass, but two advisories were recorded: an offside front inner tyre worn close to the legal limit and on its edge, and a rear brake pipe showing corrosion over the axle. Looking back further, an advisory was issued on 18 November 2022 for slight play in the offside front suspension arm ball joint, and by 28 November 2023 that same ball joint had worn to the point of failing the test with a Dangerous defect on the offside front tyre exposing ply or cords. The vehicle passed a retest three days later on 1 December 2023 with no defects recorded, suggesting the ball joint and tyre were replaced, but the fact that this is the second time the ball joint has been flagged indicates it is a known wear item on this chassis worth monitoring closely. With 71,550 miles recorded over nine years, the Clio has covered roughly 7,950 miles annually, which is a typical accumulation rate for a car of this age. There are no notable gaps in the testing history or sudden mileage jumps between tests, indicating continuous use rather than long periods off the road. This steady, moderate usage means wear should be evenly distributed across consumables and suspension components, but the front-end wear pattern visible in the MOT record suggests the vehicle may have been driven on roads with poor surfaces, kerbs, or speed bumps, all of which accelerate ball joint and tyre degradation. A consistent annual mileage also means brake discs, pads, and clutch components have been worked regularly rather than suffering from corrosion through standing idle. For a prospective buyer, the front suspension ball joints should be the primary focus of any inspection, particularly the offside front lower arm joint which has now been flagged twice. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed bumps, uneven surfaces, and during full-lock manoeuvres, and feel for vagueness or knocking transmitted through the steering wheel, which would indicate the joint has worn again since the 2023 replacement. The tyres should be inspected for uneven inner or outer edge wear, which the recent advisory suggests has been an issue, and any new tyres fitted should be checked for correct alignment to prevent premature wear recurrence. The rear brake pipe advisory from the 2025 test warrants a physical examination underneath the vehicle for corrosion, surface pitting, or any seepage around the pipe joints over the rear axle, as corroded brake pipes are a common failure point on older vehicles and can progress to a Dangerous defect if left untreated. Beyond the flagged components, a general inspection of the front brake pads is advisable given the thin pad advisory from November 2023, and the discs should be checked for lipping and minimum thickness during any test drive. Listen for brake judder under firm application, which would indicate warped discs, and feel for a soft or spongy pedal that could suggest the corroded rear brake line has developed a small leak. The Clio's age and mileage also place it in the window where original water pumps, thermostat housings, and drive belts may be approaching replacement interval, so any coolant leaks, whining noises from the engine bay, or dashboard temperature warnings during a test drive should prompt further investigation. Overall, the vehicle has a mixed record with one major failure and several advisories concentrated on the front axle, making a thorough pre-purchase inspection of the suspension and braking system essential rather than optional.