2017 Renault Clio 1.2L Petrol · LS17 RYG

The most recent MOT test on 20 July 2026 resulted in a pass, although the same date carries a prior failure for a fractured nearside front coil spring, which was presumably rectified before the pass was issued. Two advisories remain on record from that test: a nearside front tyre worn close to the legal limit and on its edge, and an offside front road wheel noted as slightly distorted. Looking at the broader pattern across 2022 to 2026, the maintenance trend is broadly stable but with recurring wear-related issues, particularly at the front axle. The vehicle has passed every test since 2021 without any dangerous or major defects remaining outstanding, and no corrosion, structural, or emissions failures have been recorded, which is a positive indicator of overall roadworthiness for a nine-year-old Renault Clio. Annual mileage works out at approximately 7,721 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and not suggestive of either excessive motorway use or extended periods of standing. The recorded mileages across tests suggest steady, moderate accumulation with no obvious large gaps that would raise immediate concerns about fluid degradation, seized calipers, or prolonged inactivity damage. Nonetheless, even at average mileage, a nine-year-old Clio will have experienced considerable cumulative wear to consumables such as brake discs, pads, tyres, and suspension bushes, so the recorded advisories should be interpreted alongside this usage profile rather than dismissed as light wear. The most significant recurring theme is coil spring failure. A fractured offside front coil spring was recorded as a major failure in August 2024, and a nearside front coil spring fractured or broken was recorded as a major failure in July 2026. Although springs are not normally a wear item, repeated failures on the same vehicle within a relatively short interval can indicate either poor-quality replacement parts, corrosion-related fatigue, or persistent heavy loading over uneven road surfaces. On a test drive, listen for any knocking or clonking from the front suspension over bumps, pay attention to uneven ride height from corner to corner, and watch for the vehicle sitting lower on one side, as these would suggest another spring is approaching failure. It would be worth confirming with the seller that genuine or quality-pattern springs were used and that both sides were replaced together, as best practice, to avoid the un-failed spring being the next to break. The brake-related advisories from 2022, specifically front pads wearing thin and a pitted nearside front brake disc, are consistent with normal wear for the mileage at that point and do not by themselves indicate a fault. However, given that brake discs on a Clio of this age have likely seen further wear since, it would be sensible to inspect pad thickness and disc condition directly, look for a visible lip on the outer edge of the discs indicating wear, and on the test drive feel for any brake shudder, vibration through the steering wheel under heavy braking, or pulling to one side which could suggest a binding caliper. The recurring front tyre advisories, particularly the edge wear noted in 2026, warrant close inspection of the nearside and offside front tyres for uneven shoulder wear, which can indicate worn suspension bushes, incorrect wheel alignment, or tracking issues. Finally, despite the moderate mileage, age-related checks remain important: inspect all four tyres for sidewall cracking or perishing given the vehicle's nine-year age, verify the 12V battery's state of health as batteries of this age are typically approaching the end of their service life, and confirm that brake fluid, coolant, and the timing or cam belt have been serviced in line with calendar intervals rather than purely mileage, as Clio timing belts are particularly sensitive to age-related degradation regardless of distance covered.