2020 Renault Clio Launch Edition E-Tech A 1.6L Hybrid electric (clean) · LL70 RYX

The most recent DVSA MOT test for this 2020 Renault Clio was conducted on 19 December 2025, resulting in a Pass with advisory items relating to a nearside front tyre cut not penetrating to the ply or cords, a defective offside front wiper blade noted as a minor defect, and an advisory that the vehicles internal headlight adjuster has been altered requiring recheck of light alignment. Reviewing the broader MOT history reveals a maintenance trend that warrants careful attention from a prospective buyer. While the 2023 retest passed cleanly, the original 2023 examination failed outright due to a dangerous nearside front tyre with exposed ply or cords on the outer wall, alongside an advisory for an offside front tyre worn on the inner edge. The 2024 test passed but recorded advisories for nearside rear tyre perishing, further nearside front sidewall cuts, and a distorted nearside front inner road wheel from impact. The persistence of front tyre damage across consecutive tests, combined with the prior dangerous failure, suggests recurring vulnerability in the front axle components that demands thorough physical inspection. With a recorded mileage of 26,219 miles over approximately six years, this Clio averages around 4,370 miles annually, which is notably below typical usage rates for a vehicle of this age and indicates a significant proportion of its life spent stationary or used only for short journeys. Such low annual mileage patterns frequently mask underlying deterioration associated with standing rather than wear, including corrosion on brake discs and calipers, ageing of rubber components, fluid degradation, and 12V battery depletion due to parasitic drain. The gap implied by the mileage may also mean that several calendar-based service intervals have elapsed without corresponding mechanical wear, particularly affecting brake fluid hygroscopic absorption, coolant acidification, and brake pad bonding to seized caliper pistons. Furthermore, low-mileage hybrid and electrified vehicles such as this E-Tech variant can suffer from infrequent thermal cycling, which may lead to oil glazing in the combustion engine, fuel system varnish, and reduced effectiveness of the regenerative braking system. Regarding the specific advisories recorded, the recurring nearside front tyre cuts on both the inner and outer sidewalls and the impact-distorted nearside front inner road wheel indicate that this corner of the vehicle has sustained contact with kerbs or potholes. On a test drive, listen for any clicking or vibration through the steering that may suggest wheel bearing degradation or tracking misalignment resulting from the wheel distortion, and inspect the front tyres closely for uneven inner-edge wear, which would confirm geometry concerns. Given that a previous tyre on the same axle reached the dangerous exposed-ply threshold, all four tyres should be examined for age-related perishing, particularly on the sidewalls, and replaced as a matter of priority if they have exceeded five years from manufacture regardless of tread depth. The headlight adjuster advisory necessitates verifying beam pattern and alignment, as incorrect adjustment following any front-end work can compromise night-time visibility and may contravene regulations. Beyond the recorded defects, a prospective buyer should conduct several physical checks commensurate with this vehicles age and modest usage. Given the low annual mileage and likely extended standing periods, inspect the brake discs for surface rust and the calipers for seized slide pins by attempting to push the vehicle in gear with the handbrake released to confirm free rotation. Test the 12V auxiliary battery under load, as low-mileage vehicles frequently suffer from premature battery failure due to incomplete charge cycles. Verify the brake fluid and coolant replacement dates, as both degrade over time irrespective of mileage, with brake fluid typically requiring renewal every two years due to moisture absorption. Finally, examine the exhaust system for corrosion at mounting points and joints, ensure the hybrid system functions correctly across both electric and petrol modes without warning messages, and confirm that the service book contains stamps at appropriate intervals, as low-mileage vehicles are sometimes neglected on calendar-based schedules.