2009 Renault Clio 1.5L Diesel · HD09 DFX

The latest DVSA MOT test on this 2009 Renault Clio, conducted on 3 November 2025, resulted in a pass with no defects recorded. It is worth noting, however, that a failure was logged on the exact same date immediately prior to the pass, which indicates the vehicle was repaired and successfully retested within the same day or testing session. The absence of recorded advisory or failure items suggests any issues identified at the time were rectified without requiring parts or components to be flagged on the official record. Looking at the broader three-year picture, the vehicle has alternated between a fail followed by a pass in both 2024 and 2025, with a clean pass in late 2023. This pattern is reasonably stable but suggests the car is reaching a point where minor items are catching it out annually, warranting close physical inspection rather than full reliance on the pass certificate alone. With a recorded mileage of 120,853 miles over approximately seventeen years, this Clio has averaged around 7,109 miles annually, which sits broadly in line with typical usage for a car of this age and class. There are no dramatic gaps in the recorded mileage that would suggest extended periods of standing, nor is there evidence of unusually rapid accumulation that might point to extreme motorway use. At 120,000 miles, the engine, clutch, and gearbox internals will have experienced significant wear, and while the test history shows no mechanical failures, consumable and component life on items such as the timing belt, clutch, dual mass flywheel if fitted, and exhaust system will be approaching or past their expected service intervals. Given the largely clean MOT record and the absence of recurring advisories, physical inspection should focus on age- and mileage-related degradation that does not necessarily show on an annual test. Tyres should be examined closely for sidewall perishing and cracking, as rubber compounds harden significantly after around six to seven years regardless of tread depth, and a sixteen-year-old car will almost certainly need replacement rubber if not recently changed. Brake discs should be inspected for severe corrosion ridges on the outer edges and inner friction surfaces, which is common on vehicles used for shorter journeys, and calipers should be checked for binding that can cause uneven pad wear or pulling under braking. The twelve-volt battery is likely to be on borrowed time at this age, and a load test or date-code verification is sensible before purchase. Fluid and under-bonnet checks are equally important on a vehicle of this vintage. Coolant, brake fluid, and gearbox or clutch hydraulic fluid all degrade over time on a calendar basis and should be replaced regardless of mileage to prevent internal corrosion in the cooling system and moisture-related braking performance loss. Listen during a test drive for any suspension clonks over speed humps or uneven surfaces, which would indicate worn anti-roll bar bushes, drop links, or top mounts, and pay particular attention to the rear axle bushes and springs, known wear items on the Clio of this generation. Finally, verify the service book stamps or digital history to confirm timing belt and water pump replacement intervals have been adhered to, as neglect on this item can lead to catastrophic engine failure on interference designs, and inspect the exhaust system for corrosion at the mounting points and flexi-joint typical of high-mileage Renaults of this era.