2012 Renault Clio 1.5L Diesel · OV12 KLM

The most recent MOT test on 14 May 2025 resulted in a pass, but only after the same vehicle had failed at the same station on the same date with five major defects, including a fractured offside front coil spring, headlamp aim issues on both sides, an inoperative nearside front position lamp, and a registration plate lamp not illuminating with the position lamps. The fact that the car passed on the same day after rectification suggests a pattern of running the vehicle with known defects until the test deadline, which is not unusual for a high-mileage supermini but does warrant scrutiny. Looking at the broader picture, the MOT trend is clearly worsening rather than stable. The 2022 test was passed with no defects, but every subsequent annual test has produced either a fail with majors or a pass carrying advisories, and there is a recurring theme of fractured coil springs, suspension ball joint dust cover deterioration, and brake pedal wear that has been flagged at three consecutive tests. This trajectory indicates that consumable and structural components are being attended to reactively rather than preventatively. The recorded odometer reading of 120,406 miles on a 2012 Renault Clio equates to roughly 8,600 miles per year over its fourteen-year life, which sits comfortably within the typical band for a car of this age and class. There are no significant gaps in the MOT history that would suggest long periods of standing, nor is there evidence of rapid mileage accumulation between annual tests, meaning the wear observed is broadly proportionate to the use the vehicle has seen. This average annual mileage is high enough that components such as suspension springs, bushes, drop links, brake discs, and clutch assemblies will have been worked hard, but not so extreme as to imply commercial-grade abuse, and the pattern of failures broadly supports normal progressive wear rather than neglect or misuse. The most pressing concern from the MOT history is the recurrence of fractured coil springs, which appeared on the nearside rear in May 2024 and on the offside front in May 2025. This is a known weakness on Clios of this generation, and a second fracture within twelve months strongly suggests that the remaining original springs are nearing the end of their service life. A prospective buyer should have the vehicle raised on a ramp so that all four springs can be visually inspected for cracks and corrosion at the lower coils, and should listen on a test drive for clonking or knocking from the suspension over bumps, particularly at low speed. The ball joint dust cover failures on both upper suspension rod joints in 2024 are also age-related deterioration that can allow water and grit to enter the joint, accelerating wear; any play or free movement in the front suspension when rocked by hand would indicate the joints themselves now require replacement. The smooth brake pedal advisory, repeated three years running, points to a worn or polished pedal rubber which is a minor issue but should also prompt a check that the pedal pivot is not excessively worn, as this can affect braking feel and modulation. Beyond the recorded defects, a buyer should treat a fourteen-year-old car with average mileage as due for several time-based services that may not be visible on the MOT record. Brake fluid should be renewed every two years regardless of mileage, and the evidence of front brake disc corrosion and pitting recorded in 2021 suggests the discs may now be at or beyond their second renewal, so a check of disc thickness, lipping, and for binding calipers after standing is essential. The 12 volt battery should be load tested, as a unit of this age is at high risk of sudden failure regardless of its current state. Coolant and timing belt or cam belt replacement history must be confirmed through the service book, as a Renault Clio of this vintage will be well past its scheduled cam belt interval and any evidence of this work having been carried out is critical to the purchase decision. Finally, tyre sidewalls should be inspected closely for perishing and cracking from age rather than just tread depth, as the nearside front outer tyre was already flagged for slight perishing in 2023 and rubber compounds degrade with calendar age as much as with use.