2011 Renault Clio 1.1L Petrol · OV61 OAP

A clean and uninterrupted pass record defines this 2011 Renault Clio, with four consecutive certificates issued between November 2022 and July 2025, all carried out without a single advisory or failure item being logged. The lone failure recorded on 21 November 2022 is notable only for what it does not show: no defect category was entered against it, suggesting either an administrative refusal or a refusal that was resolved and re-tested the same day to the clean pass logged on that same date. Across roughly three full years of testing there is therefore no documented evidence of brake wear, suspension degradation, exhaust deterioration, lighting defects, or structural corrosion, which presents an unusually tidy picture for a supermini of this vintage. Mechanically, this suggests the car has been kept in good roadworthy order through its MOT schedule, with no chronic weaknesses exposed under the examiner's ramp inspection. With 92,802 miles on the odometer against a 2011 build year, this Clio is accumulating mileage at around 6,187 miles annually, which is squarely in the middle of what one would expect for a 15 year old small car used as a daily commuter or short-journey runabout. There are no significant mileage gaps between the recorded tests that would imply extended lay-ups, and the absence of any defects despite consistent annual usage indicates the vehicle has been driven regularly rather than left standing. This pattern is mechanically beneficial because the typical Clio weaknesses, including coil spring snapping, exhaust flexi pipe deterioration, and front suspension bush wear, are largely aggravated by infrequent use and cold starts rather than by mileage itself, so a steadily driven example like this is likely to have fewer seized components and dried-out rubber than a low-mileage garage queen. For a prospective buyer, the priority on inspection should be confirming that the clean test record reflects the car's current condition rather than simply a recent tidy-up prior to sale. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, paying particular attention to the front coil springs, which are a known failure point on the Clio III and Clio IV platforms and tend to snap at the lower coil without warning. Check the steering for any vagueness or knocking through the rack, as worn drop links and anti-roll bar bushes are common. Inspect the underside thoroughly for any surface corrosion on the rear axle beam, sill flanges, and subframe mounting points, as these areas are not always flagged at MOT if corrosion has not yet perforated. Finally, verify the operation of all four brake calipers for smooth release without binding, as sticking calipers can develop gradually and may not show up on a rolling road brake test until significant pad wear has occurred. Given that the history shows no oil leaks or exhaust emissions defects, it is still worth lifting any undertrays present and inspecting the cam cover gasket area and the exhaust manifold for oil misting or soot staining, which can develop between tests. The tyres, brake pads, and brake discs are likely to be approaching replacement mileage at this point given the overall odometer reading, so a budget for fresh consumables should be factored into any purchase decision even though none were flagged. Confirm that the clutch operates without slipping under hard acceleration in fourth or fifth gear and that the gear linkage selects cleanly, as the Clio's cable-operated gearshift can develop vagueness with high mileage. Overall, the test history points to a mechanically sound car, but a pre-purchase inspection on a ramp remains the prudent next step to confirm that nothing has deteriorated since the most recent pass in July 2025.