2015 Renault Clio 0.9L Petrol · LS15 RGU

A concerning structural and chassis deterioration profile has emerged on this 2015 Renault Clio, with the most recent MOT on 7 April 2026 passing only after a prior failure five days earlier on 2 April 2026. That earlier test recorded a Major for service brake efficiency below requirements alongside a Major for the nearside front subframe mounting prescribed area being excessively corroded, significantly reducing structural strength at the front subframe mounting bracket. While the re-test passed, it carried three advisories that are mechanically significant: rear subframe corrosion not seriously weakened, both rear shock absorbers showing slight external casing damage and corrosion, and both front suspension arms corroded but not seriously weakened. The wider pattern across the recorded tests shows chronic and escalating corrosion on structural and suspension components, with advisories for slight corrosion on suspension components appearing in 2024, subframe and shock absorber corrosion surfacing in 2026, and a fractured offside rear coil spring recorded as a Major failure in April 2024. The trajectory is therefore one of progressive chassis wear rather than a stable or improving condition, and the buyer should treat the subframe and suspension corrosion cluster as a connected risk rather than isolated observations. The recorded mileage of 35,234 miles across eleven years equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 3,200 miles, which is low for the vehicle's age. There are no extended gaps in the testing record, with annual MOTs present from 2022 through 2026, suggesting the vehicle has remained in regular use rather than being laid up for long periods. Low annual mileage of this nature typically reduces load-related wear on internal drivetrain items but does not arrest corrosion progression, particularly on underbody and suspension components that are exposed to road salts and moisture regardless of how little the car is driven. The MOT evidence supports this, as the corrosion advisories and the subframe failure have accumulated despite the modest annual mileage, indicating that environmental exposure rather than mechanical fatigue has been the primary driver of the recorded deterioration. The combination of a fractured rear coil spring in 2024, repeated suspension and subframe corrosion advisories, and shock absorber casing damage means the underbody should be the principal focus of any pre-purchase inspection. A thorough visual examination from beneath the vehicle is essential, paying particular attention to the front subframe mounting brackets for any remaining perforation or distortion, the rear subframe for spreading corrosion beyond the area already flagged, both front suspension arms for play in the bushes and any thinning of the metal, and the rear shock absorber casings for active fluid weeping or compromised damping. On a road test, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the rear over uneven surfaces, which could indicate a further fractured coil spring or worn shock mount, and feel for excessive float, bounce, or poor recovery damping from the rear suspension. Steering responses should be monitored for vagueness or pulling, which could be linked to compromised front subframe integrity or worn suspension arm bushes, and any clonking through the front wheels when braking or turning should be investigated as a potential subframe or arm concern. The brake system requires equally direct attention given the Major failure for service brake efficiency recorded on 2 April 2026. A test drive should include several firm stops from around 30 mph to check for pull to one side, pedal judder suggesting warped discs, and a soft or spongy pedal that may indicate retained moisture in the system or air ingress following component replacement. The tyres also warrant careful inspection; in addition to the Dangerous failure in March 2023 for both rear tyres having tears caused by structural separation, and the recurring advisories for cuts, cracking, and perishing on nearside and offside items, the inner front tyres were flagged as worn close to the legal limit in 2024. Check the inner shoulders specifically, as inner-edge wear can point to suspension geometry issues potentially linked to the worn components already noted. Any play in the front road wheel fixings should be re-verified given the 2024 Dangerous defect for a missing nearside front wheel fixing, and a torch examination of all visible brake pipes and flexes for corrosion is advisable given the vehicle's age and the underbody moisture exposure implied by the structural advisories.