2014 Renault Clio 1.1L Petrol · JD61 LEW

A pattern of braking and undercarriage defects dominates the recorded test history of this twelve-year-old Renault, suggesting that corrosion and friction component wear are the principal mechanical risks rather than any isolated fault. Across the seven MOT records shown, three tests resulted in failure, and each failure contained at least one dangerous category defect. The most recent test on 22 May 2026 was a pass with no advisories, which on the surface reads cleanly, yet the immediately preceding test on 13 August 2025 failed outright with dangerous front brake pad wear, a seriously worn nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint, and an inoperative tyre pressure monitoring system, before the same car passed the identical date entry in a re-test. Front brake discs were also flagged as pitted or scored at that 2025 test, and rear brake pipe corrosion has been documented repeatedly in 2022 and 2023. Taken together, this is a vehicle whose braking and suspension hardware has demanded attention across the cycle rather than an example of stable roadworthiness. Mileage of 126,242 miles accumulated across roughly twelve years equates to approximately 10,520 miles annually, which sits close to the typical usage band for a car of this age and gives the test record a fairly even temporal spread with no obvious long lay-up gaps. There are, however, several instances of two examinations occurring within days of one another in both 2022 and 2025, indicating a fail and immediate re-test pattern rather than any discontinuity in use. The mileage itself is moderate for a Clio of this generation, so wear on consumables such as brake pads, discs, tyres and suspension components should be expected to progress at a steady rate, and the recorded defects broadly align with that picture. Importantly, no multi-year standing period is evident, so deductions regarding prolonged inactivity are not warranted. For a prospective buyer, the undercarriage and braking system must be the central focus of any physical inspection and test drive. Lift or arrange for the vehicle to be placed on a ramp and pay particular attention to the condition of the rear brake pipes along the axle and beneath the central underbody bracket, where corrosion has been recorded on multiple occasions; any surface rust or weeping at the joints warrants urgent rectification. Examine the front lower suspension arms and check the nearside ball joint for play or a knocking sensation over uneven surfaces, as this component was deemed excessively worn in 2025. The front brake discs and pads should be measured directly, as the 2025 dangerous failure shows pads can drop below 1.5 mm rapidly between tests; on the road, expect any binding caliper to manifest as pulling to one side under braking or a wheel running hotter than its counterpart. On the road, listen and feel for specific symptoms tied to the historical defects. A clunk or knock from the front suspension, particularly when traversing speed humps or potholes, would indicate renewed wear at the ball joint or its bushes. Brake pedal response should be firm and progressive; a spongy pedal, any judder through the steering wheel under heavy braking, or visible scoring on the disc edges when viewed through the wheel would suggest the brake discs flagged in 2025 have deteriorated further. Inspect both front tyres closely for inner-edge wear, as the 2022 failure noted an exposed ply on the nearside front inner tyre, indicating possible alignment or suspension geometry concerns. Finally, verify that the tyre pressure monitoring system is operating correctly via the dashboard and confirm the parking brake holds the vehicle securely on an incline, given the 2024 failure related to parking brake adjustment and inoperative operation on one side.