2013 Renault Clio 1.1L Petrol · SA63 DXO

The vehicle currently holds a valid MOT certificate, but the maintenance history reveals a concerning trend of reactive repairs. While it passed the most recent test on 15 May 2026 at 74,433 miles, this followed a significant failure just nine days prior. The failure record highlighted multiple critical safety issues including structural degradation of brake pipes, a failed wheel bearing, and a torn tyre structure. The transition from a major failure to a pass suggests that the owner only addresses faults when forced by the testing process, rather than through proactive preventative maintenance. At 13 years old, the car has covered 74,433 miles, averaging approximately 5,700 miles per year. This low-mileage profile suggests light use, which often explains the accelerated degradation of rubber-based components and metalwork. Between May 2025 (66,599 miles) and May 2026 (74,433 miles), the vehicle covered only 7,834 miles, yet the number of mechanical faults increased substantially. This indicates that the vehicle is suffering from age-related corrosion rather than simply miles driven. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the braking system and suspension. The MOT history consistently flags corrosion on brake pipes since 2023, which escalated to "excessive corrosion" in the May 2026 failure. You should verify that these pipes have been replaced with new copper lines rather than merely cleaned over, as the recurring nature of the fault suggests a lack of attention. Furthermore, check for play in the nearside front anti-roll bar ball joint and the offside front track rod end, as these were flagged in the most recent test and can affect steering precision and handling quality. The persistent oil leak from the sump and gasket remains a long-term concern. While the tester deemed it non-excessive, such leaks can mask larger issues or lead to engine starvation. The minor exhaust leak from the centre to rear joint also requires monitoring to ensure it does not worsen into a structural failure. Given the history of front tyres being bald on the inner edges, a professional alignment check is essential to prevent premature wear of any new rubber.