1998 Renault Clio 1.1L Petrol · S856 ADV

The vehicle remains roadworthy, but the maintenance trend indicates a pattern of reactive repairs rather than preventative care. The most recent test on August 14, 2025, at 50,799 miles showed a defective rear exhaust mounting. This is a recurring issue that has appeared on the nearside rear in the previous three consecutive tests. While the car has passed its inspections, the persistence of the exhaust mounting fault suggests it is only addressed when it becomes necessary to avoid an MOT failure. The mileage profile is exceptionally low for a 28-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 1,814 miles per year. The data shows very little movement between 2022 and 2025, with only 721 miles recorded over that three-year period. This low usage rate suggests the car likely sits for long periods, which often leads to the degradation of rubber-based components. This is evidenced by the tester flagging a cracked and perishing offside front tyre in 2024 and the deteriorating headlamp lenses noted since 2022. A buyer must prioritize the structural integrity of the front sub-frame, which has been flagged for corrosion since at least August 2023 at 50,422 miles. Although the tester noted it was not seriously weakened, corrosion on low-mileage vehicles can accelerate rapidly if untreated. The braking system also requires scrutiny; the August 2022 test indicated imbalanced rear brakes that barely met requirements, necessitating adjustment or repair. The offside rear wheel bearing and the nearside front suspension arm ball joint, which caused failures in 2022, should be inspected to ensure the wear has not progressed since the previous repairs.