2021 Renault Clio Lutecia SE TCE 1.0L Petrol · NL71 FJA

Front braking components and both front tyres are the defining story on this 2021 Renault Clio, with the September 2025 test returning a pass but flagging worn, pitted or scored front brake discs, front pads wearing thin, and both front tyres worn close to the legal limit. That is a notable cluster of advisories on a car of this age and mileage, and it contrasts with the clean pass recorded in September 2024, when no defects were noted at all. The trajectory is therefore one of emerging wear rather than chronic defects, but the fact that three consumable items reached advisory status simultaneously suggests they are all approaching the end of their serviceable life at roughly the same point, meaning expenditure is likely imminent rather than distant. Recorded mileage stands at 28,240 miles across roughly five years, averaging about 5,648 miles per year, which is low for the age. Only two tests appear on record, consistent with the vehicle's first MOT falling due in 2024, and there are no gaps or anomalies in the annual testing pattern. Low annual mileage on a small petrol hatchback typically means the engine, clutch and drivetrain have seen modest use, but it also means the braking and tyre wear now flagged has accumulated over relatively few miles, which can point to a pattern of short urban journeys where brakes are used frequently and tyres scrub on tight manoeuvres. The pitting and scoring noted on the front discs is also consistent with surface corrosion forming between infrequent uses and then being ground into the disc face by the pads. A prospective buyer should treat the front braking system as the priority inspection area. With discs already pitted and scored and pads wearing thin, a replacement of both front pads and discs is a realistic near-term cost, so factor this into any offer. On a test drive, listen for a grinding or scraping note under braking, feel for judder or pulsing through the pedal and steering wheel that would indicate disc thickness variation or warping, and check whether the car pulls to one side when braking firmly from speed, which could suggest uneven pad wear or a sticking caliper. Visually inspect the disc faces through the wheel spokes for heavy lipping at the outer edge and deep scoring grooves. The front tyres warrant equal attention, as both were flagged as worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edge. Edge wear on both front tyres can indicate tracking or wheel alignment that is out of specification, so during the test drive check whether the steering wheel sits straight on a level road and whether the car tracks true without constant correction. Uneven wear recurring after replacement tyres would confirm an alignment or suspension geometry issue, so ask whether any alignment work has been carried out. Confirm the current tread depths across the full width of each front tyre before purchase, budget for two new front tyres alongside the brake work, and verify the rear tyres and brakes were untouched by advisories, as the record shows no other defects across either test.