2009 Renault Clio 1.6L Petrol · RO09 UDW

The most recent DVSA examination recorded a Pass on 4 November 2025 with no defects or advisories noted, which is the most encouraging result in the recent history. However, the two prior tests in November 2024 and October 2023 were not uneventful. In November 2024 the vehicle returned a failure on a fractured offside rear coil spring and a nearside front wheel bearing with excessive play, with the subsequent pass on the same date indicating that both items were repaired before retest. The October 2023 visit produced a PRS failure for an inadequate washer system caused by a rotted pipe and a blocked jet, alongside an advisory flagging early play in the nearside front wheel bearing. Taken together, the pattern suggests a vehicle that has received targeted attention on safety-critical items but is not exhibiting a steadily worsening defect profile; rather, it reflects age-related wear emerging progressively on the suspension and rolling gear rather than systemic neglect. The two consecutive clean passes at the end of the sequence indicate the remedial work has held, although the wheel bearing advisory at the 2023 test is a known Renault Clio weakness and the fact it returned as a major failure just over twelve months later confirms how quickly that wear can progress. At 51,301 recorded miles across seventeen years, the vehicle is averaging approximately 3,018 miles annually, which is substantially below the typical mileage for a car of this age and well under the national average. This level of use suggests either a low-commuting lifestyle, predominantly short trips, or extended periods of standing. The MOT record shows annual tests consistently, indicating the vehicle has been kept on the road throughout, but the low annual mileage carries its own mechanical consequences. Short journeys do not allow the engine, exhaust system, and catalytic converter to reach optimum operating temperature, which can promote moisture accumulation in the oil, accelerated degradation of brake fluid, and contamination of the coolant. Long periods of standing meanwhile encourage brake disc surface corrosion, seizing or binding of caliper pistons, perishing of rubber components, and stratification of brake fluid. The mileage gap between tests is minimal and consistent, suggesting the car has been driven regularly enough to avoid the worst standing-related deterioration, although an unusually low-mileage clutch, timing chain, and dual-mass flywheel (where fitted) should still be considered for age-related wear rather than mileage alone. Given the historical coil spring failure, any prospective purchaser should pay particular attention to the rear suspension on a road test. Listen for clonking or knocking over uneven surfaces, particularly from the offside rear, and observe whether the vehicle sits level or shows a lowered corner, as a fractured or weakened coil spring will often present as a slight sag. With the nearside front wheel bearing having failed within the last two years, listen for a humming or droning noise that changes with vehicle speed and rotates with cornering, which is the classic symptom of a worn wheel bearing; this is a known weak point on the Clio and a second replacement on the same side would not be unusual. On the test drive, check for any pulling under braking, vibration through the steering wheel, or pedal pulsation, all of which would indicate brake disc warping often seen on low-mileage or intermittently used vehicles. Inspect the rear of the vehicle for fluid staining on the calipers and backing plates, as bound rear calipers are common on cars that have stood for extended periods. Because this vehicle is seventeen years old with comparatively low mileage, the buyer should carry out a number of age- rather than mileage-related inspections before purchase. Examine the tyres carefully for sidewall cracking, perishing, or crazing, as tyres more than five years old deteriorate from age regardless of tread depth; check the DOT date code on each sidewall. Inspect all rubber hoses, drive belts, and gaiters for hardening or splitting, and verify the production date of the 12V battery, which typically fails between five and seven years. Given the standing periods implied by the mileage, expect brake disc corrosion; surface rust that clears after a few applications of the brakes is acceptable, but heavily pitted or lipped discs will require replacement. Verify the service history book stamps and confirm that brake fluid, coolant, and engine oil have been changed on a calendar basis rather than purely by mileage, as brake fluid in particular should be renewed every two to three years due to its hygroscopic nature. Finally, examine the underside for any emerging corrosion, particularly around suspension mounting points, jacking areas, and the rear axle beam, and confirm that the exhaust system is free from blowing gases or excessive rust, as these are common renewal items on a Clio of this vintage.