2012 Renault Clio 1.6L Petrol · RO62 FMD

A recurring history of critical wear items requiring urgent intervention defines the safety record of this 2012 Renault Clio, which successfully secured a MOT pass on 2026-01-28 while carrying advisories for worn front brake discs and slight play in the offside front track rod end. This recent pass follows a volatile testing history that includes two separate failure events marked by dangerous severity classifications. Specifically, the November 2022 test resulted in a dangerous failure due to severely depleted brake pads measuring under 1.5 millimetres on all four corners, alongside illegal tyre tread depths and an obstruction on the windscreen. A similarly dangerous failure occurred in September 2020 when both front tyres fell below the legal tread limit alongside a non-functional dipped beam headlight. While the intervening years show clean passes, the persistent return of safety-critical faults on heavy wear components indicates that upkeep has historically been reactive rather than preventative. Accumulating just 45,726 miles over its fourteen-year lifespan yields an average annual mileage of roughly 3,266 miles, establishing an exceptionally low-usage profile for this vehicle. This low annual accumulation means the car has spent extended periods operating on short urban journeys or remaining stationary for stretches between tests. Mechanically, such light use patterns often reduce the overall strain on major drivetrain assemblies like the engine and gearbox, but they concentrate wear onto specific exposed peripheral components through lack of continuous movement. Rubber suspension joints, friction surfaces, and exhaust components frequently suffer from environmental degradation or accelerated surface corrosion when vehicles are driven infrequently or stored for long durations. Prospective buyers must prioritise a rigorous physical inspection of the front braking system and front suspension geometry during a pre-purchase examination, focusing heavily on the discs flagged as pitted and scored during the latest test. On a test drive, listen closely for any knocking or clunking noises originating from the front tracking when turning the steering wheel from lock to lock or when traversing uneven road surfaces, which would confirm active wear within the track rod end. Furthermore, examine the inner faces of the brake discs for deep scoring and check the steering response for any vagueness or wandering that would indicate play in the steering linkages. The previous history of rapid tyre depletion and critical brake pad degradation also demands a thorough manual inspection of the current tyre health, checking sidewalls for age-related perishing and verifying that all four tyres possess healthy tread depths well above the legal minimum. Given the past failures involving critical safety items, a careful crawl underneath the vehicle using a ramp is strongly recommended to inspect the condition of the brake lines, underbody corrosion levels behind the protective covers, and the overall integrity of the suspension subframe. Ensuring these components are free from excessive degradation will determine whether the car can maintain dependable roadworthiness going forward.