2009 Renault Clio 1.5L Diesel · RV09 GCU

The vehicle maintains a roadworthy status, but the maintenance history reveals a pattern of reactive rather than preventative care. While the most recent test in November 2024 at 154,295 miles passed, the car still carried multiple minor advisories regarding distorted road wheels and discoloured indicators. The trend shows a period of stability following a series of significant failures in late 2022 and 2023, suggesting that the owner only addresses faults once they fail an inspection. The mileage progression is consistent with a 17-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 9,000 miles per year. There is a notable gap of 9,531 miles between November 2022 and November 2023, followed by another 3,211 miles between the November 2023 failure and the 2024 pass. This steady accumulation suggests regular road use, though the high total mileage of over 154,000 miles places significant stress on aged mechanical components, particularly the suspension and braking system. A buyer must personally inspect the suspension and steering geometry due to recurring issues. The tester flagged play in the front track rod end ball joints in November 2023 and a fractured offside front coil spring earlier that same year. Furthermore, the persistent mention of distorted wheels on all four corners across 2023 and 2024 indicates frequent impact damage or curb striking, which can lead to uneven tyre wear and handling instability. The braking system also requires close scrutiny. The record shows failures for inadequate parking brake efficiency and inoperative rear brakes in 2022, followed by significantly worn offside front brake discs in late 2023. While these appear to have been rectified, the recurring presence of pitted and scored discs suggests the caliper components may be sticking. Given the vehicle's age and mileage, a thorough check for structural corrosion on the sills and mounting points is essential, as these areas are not covered by the MOT advisories until they become critical.