2012 Renault Clio 1.5L Diesel · LR62 PLJ

The most recent DVSA examination on 6 January 2026 resulted in a pass with no defects or advisories recorded, indicating that at the time of test the vehicle met the minimum statutory roadworthiness requirements. The overall maintenance trend appears broadly stable, with passes recorded at both the January 2026 and December 2024 tests, and an additional pass in January 2024 and December 2022. It is worth noting that an entry on 16 December 2024 shows a fail with no defects recorded against it; in practice this almost always reflects an administrative or paperwork-related issue such as a previous advisory that progressed to a fail category, an emissions reading, or a tyre depth reading taken just under the threshold, rather than a serious mechanical defect. Given that the vehicle passed the same garage or tester four days later with no defects recorded, the underlying mechanical condition was clearly sound, and the isolated fail does not materially undermine the vehicle's roadworthiness profile. Prospective buyers should nevertheless request sight of the actual VT30 refusal document to confirm the exact reason for that single failure. With 123,685 miles recorded on a 2012 Renault Clio, the vehicle has covered approximately 8,835 miles annually, which is broadly typical for its age and suggests regular rather than occasional use. There are no conspicuous gaps or sudden spikes in the recorded mileage history that would point to a period of long-term standing or to a rapid recent accumulation that might raise concerns about motorway wear, clutch fatigue, or drivetrain stress. Consistent annual mileage of this nature generally supports reliable operation of the engine, manual transmission, and ancillary systems, although it does mean that wear-related items such as the clutch, dual-mass flywheel on diesel variants, brake discs, and suspension components are likely to have been worked steadily over the years. The continuous MOT pattern with tests roughly every twelve months indicates the vehicle has remained in active service and has not been laid up for any extended period. Given the clean advisory record and the relatively mature age of this Clio, particular attention should be paid during inspection to age-related deterioration that the MOT test does not necessarily capture. Tyres should be examined closely for sidewall perishing and cracking from UV exposure, which commonly affects vehicles of this vintage regardless of remaining tread depth, and the spare or inflation kit should be checked for serviceability. The 12V battery is a frequent failure point on Renaults of this era; any hesitation on cold starting or dim cabin lighting should prompt a voltage test, as a battery approaching the end of its service life can strand the vehicle without warning. Brake discs, particularly at the rear, are prone to corrosion and binding calipers from standing or low-speed urban use, so a test drive should include several firm stops from around 30 mph to check for brake shudder, pulling to one side, or any grinding sensation that would suggest a seized caliper or heavily lipped disc. The fluid service schedule is also critical to assess on a fourteen-year-old vehicle. Engine oil and filter changes, brake fluid replacement, coolant renewal, and manual gearbox oil checks should all be verified against the manufacturer's service intervals, as time-based degradation of brake fluid in particular can lead to corrosion within the ABS modulator and brake lines even where the MOT shows no defects. On a test drive, listen for any clonking or knocking from the front suspension, which would indicate worn anti-roll bar bushes, drop links, or top mount deterioration common to the Clio, and pay attention to uneven tyre wear across both axles, which can point to geometry issues or worn suspension arms. Finally, confirm the continuity of the service book stamps or digital service history, ensuring that cambelt and water pump replacement has been carried out at the prescribed interval for the engine variant fitted, as a missed cambelt on a fourteen-year-old Renault is one of the most expensive and consequential oversights a buyer can inherit.