2013 Renault Clio 0.9L Petrol · GV13 GVL

The latest MOT test on this 2013 Renault Clio, recorded on 5 May 2026, resulted in a fail with a major defect relating to an excessively worn nearside front suspension arm ball joint, which was sufficient on its own to prevent a pass certificate being issued. Despite this, the same date also shows a pass being issued, suggesting remedial work was carried out between the two entries on the same day. When reviewing the broader DVSA history, the maintenance trajectory appears to be worsening rather than stable. Recurring front suspension ball joint wear has now appeared at least three times across the record: an advisory for slight play in August 2022, a major defect on the offside lower arm in September 2023, and the latest major on the nearside. Combined with the brake, lighting, and tyre advisories recorded in 2026, this suggests a vehicle that is beginning to demand more frequent attention to its running gear, lighting circuits, and general consumables than a well-sorted example of this age. The recorded mileage of 107,176 miles against a 13-year vehicle age equates to approximately 8,244 miles per annum, which is broadly typical for a small supermini that has seen regular mixed use. There are no unusually large gaps between test entries that would suggest long periods of standing, nor any sudden jumps in mileage that might indicate clocking or inconsistent record keeping. The MOT entries fall at reasonably consistent intervals of two to three years apart, with mileage increasing in a steady, expected fashion. This is mechanically significant because a consistently driven Clio of this age and mileage will have accumulated wear commensurate with its odometer reading on items such as clutch, gearbox synchros, exhaust mounting points, engine mountings, and suspension bushes, rather than suffering the localised corrosion and seized caliper issues more common on low-use or stored vehicles. For a prospective buyer, the recurring front suspension ball joint defects are the single most important area to investigate. Both lower arms on this platform are known to wear at the ball joint, and on a test drive you should listen for clonking or knocking from the front end over speed bumps, uneven road surfaces, or during full-lock low-speed manoeuvres, and feel for any vagueness or wandering from the straight-ahead position under braking. The nearside rear tyre cut and the nail in the offside rear tyre noted in May 2026 should be confirmed as properly repaired or replaced, and the inner-edge wear on the nearside front tyre down to 0mm is a strong indicator of either a worn suspension component, incorrect tracking, or both, so a four-wheel alignment check and inspection of the front strut top mounts and wishbone bushes would be sensible precautions. The coolant level being low alongside an advisory for an expansion tank leaking from September 2023 warrants a thorough coolant pressure test, as a neglected cooling system on the 1.2 16-valve engine can lead to head gasket concerns, and the level should be checked cold with the system cold and level. Beyond the recorded defects, age and mileage appropriate checks should be carried out before purchase. The 12V battery on a 13-year-old car is almost certainly due for replacement, and a voltage drop test under load is worthwhile. Brake discs should be inspected for lipping and surface corrosion, particularly given that the rear drums or discs may have suffered from standing periods between longer test intervals, and caliper slide pins and handbrake mechanisms should be checked for free operation. Inspect the exhaust system along its full length for corrosion, paying particular attention to the rear silencer box and mounting rubbers, which commonly fail on UK Clios of this vintage. All fluid services should be verified regardless of service book stamps; engine oil and filter, brake fluid (which absorbs moisture and should be renewed biennially), coolant (typically every four years), and if applicable the manual gearbox oil should all be confirmed as within their respective intervals. Finally, a check for oil leaks around the cam cover gasket, a thorough inspection of the underbody for any structural corrosion around the front subframe and rear axle mounting points, and verification that all previous advisories relating to the headlamp, stop lamps, position lamps, and fog light have been properly rectified will help confirm whether this Clio represents sound value or one that will continue to demand remedial work.