2013 Renault Clio 1.1L Petrol · PY07 RUD

A recurring pattern of braking and suspension defects dominates this Renault Clio's recent DVSA record, with the vehicle accumulating a notable number of major failures alongside persistent tyre advisories over a four-year window. In 2022 alone, the nearside front headlamp aim was flagged as too low and both rear service brakes were recorded as excessively binding, which together suggest the handbrake mechanism, rear caliper slide pins, or brake shoe adjusters may have been sticking at that time. A further major failure emerged in late 2023 when the offside front suspension arm ball joint was deemed excessively worn, pointing to a worn lower wishbone ball joint or deteriorated bush on that corner. The most recent test on 17 November 2025 returned a clean pass with no advisories or defects recorded, which is the strongest entry in the sequence, but the intervening history of three failures and repeated tyre wear notes between 2021 and 2024 cannot be ignored when judging the car's overall mechanical trend. Recorded mileage stands at 94,777 miles against a 2013 registration, equating to an average annual accumulation of roughly 7,291 miles. This rate is broadly in line with typical usage for a 13-year-old supermini, with no large gaps in the MOT testing history that would suggest extended periods off the road, and the year-on-year mileage progression appears consistent rather than erratic. At this level of use, wear on consumable braking components, suspension bushes, coil springs, and tyres would be expected to advance steadily, which correlates with the rear brake binding and suspension ball joint failures documented in the file. There is no evidence of prolonged storage or unusually low mileage, so buyers should approach the car on the assumption that its components have been worked in a normal manner for its age and accumulated distance. Anyone considering this Clio should pay particular attention to the rear braking system, as the 2022 test flagged both rear service brakes as excessively binding. On a road test, listen for any dragging or scraping noise from the rear hubs after the car has been driven, and check whether the vehicle rolls freely when the handbrake is released on a slight incline. The rear caliper sliders, handbrake cables, and shoe self-adjuster mechanisms are the usual culprits on Clios of this generation, and warm rear wheels after a short drive are a classic symptom of a seized caliper or stuck mechanism. It would also be sensible to inspect the inner face of the rear brake discs for uneven wear, ridging, or corrosion, and to confirm the handbrake holds firmly without travelling to the end of its ratchet. The suspension side deserves equal scrutiny following the 2023 major failure for an excessively worn offside front suspension arm ball joint. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed humps, uneven road surfaces, and when turning at low speed, as these are typical indicators of worn wishbone bushes or a deteriorated ball joint. Slack or vagueness in the steering, or any clunk when applying the brakes at low speed, would warrant further inspection of the front suspension arms, drop links, and anti-roll bar bushes. The nearside rear tyre has been flagged for edge wear in three consecutive tests between 2022 and 2024, which can point to a tracking issue, a worn rear beam bush, or a slightly bent rear axle beam following kerb impact, so a four-wheel alignment check and a close inspection of the rear suspension geometry would be a prudent step. Finally, verify the headlamp levelling operation and the aim of both front lamps, as the nearside unit was found to be set too low in 2022.