2012 Renault Clio 1.5L Diesel · OY12 CWZ

A 2012 Renault Clio presents a mechanical picture defined by recurring advisories rather than consistent roadworthiness throughout its service life, with four separate MOT entries spanning from November 2023 through December 2025 revealing a pattern of persistent problems. Despite a successful test on 2025-12-01, that pass carried five advisories including play in the steering rack inner joints, corroded front and offside suspension arms on both sides, offside front position lamp failure, and minor rear axle beam corrosion. The earlier failed tests in late 2023 and early 2024—particularly the 2023-11-24 failure involving rear tyres worn close to legal limits, cracked rear tyres, non-functional windscreen washer system, and incorrect headlamp projection—demonstrate that issues were not resolved between assessments. The overall trajectory suggests either intermittent repair attempts followed by recurrence or underlying systemic weaknesses that have not been fully addressed, making the 2025-12-01 result appear inconsistent with prior concerns. The recorded mileage of 149,341 miles on a vehicle approximately fourteen years old translates to roughly 10,667 miles per annum, which aligns with typical usage patterns for a model of this age though slightly elevated given the extended timeframe. Notably, there is a substantial gap between the 2023-11-24 failed test and the subsequent 2024-11-26 pass, followed by another failure in 2025-11-27 before the latest 2025-12-01 success. This irregular testing schedule combined with the persistence of multiple advisory categories—especially steering-related symptoms and structural corrosion—indicates that the vehicle's cumulative wear has accumulated rapidly enough to trigger repeated warnings even as some individual failures appeared to be cleared. The high annual mileage rate implies considerable stress on consumable items such as suspension bushings, brake components, and drivetrain fasteners, while the recurring corrosion notes point to environmental exposure affecting the subframe and wheel arches. Buyers should approach the steering rack with particular caution as play in the inner joint(s) is reported across multiple tests and can manifest as a distinct knock or chatter over bumps during normal driving; a tactile check while moving around corners will reveal whether the issue persists under load. The corroded front and offside suspension arms require visual confirmation of rust penetration into the pivot points and a reassessment of their movement under load, as continued corrosion could compromise lateral geometry and increase wear on the control arms. Front and rear headlamp alignment failures present a safety concern where improper aiming creates an incorrectly projected beam that may cause dazzling to other road users; verification of lens positioning and alignment should be performed before purchase. Additionally, the two failed tests included a non-functional windscreen washer system—a major failure requiring immediate attention—and faulty offside headlamp projection, meaning the vehicle lacks adequate illumination in foggy conditions and may produce misleading light patterns for pedestrians or cyclists. The rear axle beam corrosion noted in 2025-12-01 and the sustained rear tyres worn close to legal limits indicate that structural and rubber components are experiencing accelerated degradation, particularly under the high mileage scenario. A test drive should include listening for any grinding or squealing from the brake discs, which showed wear in three consecutive MOTs (late 2023 through mid-2025), and inspecting the rear tyres for uneven wear, cracks, or excessive sidewall damage that would exacerbate the original near-side tyre wear. Finally, confirming that the windscreen washer pump operates correctly and that the headlight aims remain within specification represents essential safety checks that go beyond cosmetic appearance, as these systems are critical for night-time visibility and compliance with lighting regulations.