2015 Renault Clio 1.1L Petrol · LS15 RRY

A fractured offside front coil spring recorded as a major failure at the February 2025 test sits at the centre of this Renault Clio's mechanical record, and although the car passed on the immediate retest five days later, the underlying suspension concern is the headline issue for any prospective buyer. The previous three tests in 2024, 2023 and early 2024 were all clean with no advisories, suggesting the spring fracture was a sudden component failure rather than a slow decline, but the most recent February 2026 pass introduces a fresh cluster of warnings that demand attention. Advisories were issued for front tyres worn close to the legal limit and on the edge both sides, an offside front service brake binding but not excessively, and rear tyres showing damage, cracking or perishing on both sides. The overall pattern indicates a vehicle that has moved from a clean record into a phase of front-end consumable wear and minor brake drag, so the trend is presently worsening rather than stable. At 82,642 miles on an eleven year old car, the Clio is showing roughly 7,500 miles per year on average, which sits squarely within the expected band for a small European hatchback used as daily transport. There are no significant gaps in the MOT history that would suggest long periods off the road, and no evidence in the records of rapid mileage accumulation between tests that might indicate sustained high-mileage use or commercial-style driving. Mechanically, this kind of average annual mileage means the engine, transmission and clutch should not yet be at end-of-life thresholds, though the suspension, bushes and brake components will have absorbed a full decade of urban and suburban wear, consistent with the recent advisories. The lack of any recorded advisories until the last test suggests that wear items were either replaced proactively between tests or only began to flag in the final year. Given the fractured coil spring at the offside front, particular attention should be paid to the front suspension on a test drive. Listen for any clonking or knocking noise over speed bumps, especially when the suspension is cold, and feel for any vagueness or delay in steering response that could indicate a weakened spring allowing excessive body roll. Check visually that the car sits level at the front and that there is no visible sag on the offside corner, and inspect the matching nearside spring for any signs of cracking at the coils, as coil springs commonly fail in pairs. The binding offside front brake recorded in 2026 is also worth verifying by driving gently from cold and feeling whether the car pulls to one side or whether the offside front wheel feels hotter than the nearside after a short run, which would suggest a sticking caliper or seized slide pins rather than just minor drag. The tyre advisories on all four corners should prompt a close inspection of the sidewalls for cracking, bulges or uneven shoulder wear, and the fronts should be checked specifically for edge wear which often points to incorrect camber or worn suspension bushes rather than simple under-inflation. On the road, listen for any knocking from the front struts over undulating surfaces, which can indicate top mount wear following the coil spring failure, and feel for vibration through the brake pedal which could suggest disc warping if the binding caliper has caused uneven pad deposition. Beyond the flagged items, this Clio warrants a thorough inspection of the rear drum or disc brake assemblies, the exhaust system for corrosion at the mounting brackets, and the underbody for any surface rust, though nothing in the MOT history currently suggests structural corrosion. Overall the vehicle remains roadworthy on its current test, but the prospective buyer should budget for a set of tyres, front brake attention, and a precautionary check of the remaining suspension components.