2013 Renault Clio 1.1L Petrol · SF63 TYB

This Renault Clio presents a roadworthiness picture dominated by recurring advisories on tyres, suspension wear, and binding rear brakes, alongside two notable structural failures that any prospective buyer must factor in. The most recent test on 26 February 2026 was a pass, but every tyre on the car was flagged as worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge, meaning an immediate replacement cost is likely regardless of the test outcome. Looking back through the record, the 2024 test produced a dangerous failure for a nearside front tyre below 1.6mm tread depth, plus major defects for a significantly worn front brake disc inner surface and excessively worn front suspension arm ball joints on both sides. The 2022 and 2025 tests each featured a fractured coil spring, the 2025 test additionally flagged an insecure front battery likely to cause a short circuit, and the 2023 test recorded advisories for an oil leak, binding nearside rear service brake, and a wiper arm fouling the bonnet. The pattern is one of component wear accumulating in cycles rather than being addressed, with brakes, suspension, and tyres consistently appearing across multiple years. The recorded mileage of 32,953 miles over thirteen years equates to roughly 2,535 miles per annum, which is well below the typical usage rate for a vehicle of this age and type. MOT history covers the period from 2022 to 2026, with annual tests consistently recorded and no multi-year gaps that would suggest the vehicle was off the road. The mileage is also broadly sequential, with no rapid jumps or anomalies visible in the test records. Mechanically, this low annual accumulation means the engine and drivetrain have covered far fewer miles than average, reducing internal wear on pistons, bearings, and transmission components, but it also means the vehicle has spent substantial time stationary. Long periods of standing can accelerate corrosion in hidden areas, degrade rubber components through dry rot, and allow brake components to seize through lack of use, which is consistent with the repeated advisories on binding rear brakes and tyre perishing noted in the 2025 test. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the suspension geometry and front-end condition, given the two fractured coil springs and the worn front lower ball joints. On a test drive, listen for any clonking or knocking from the front over uneven road surfaces, which would indicate further ball joint deterioration or worn suspension bushes, and feel for vagueness or wandering in the steering that could suggest a compromised front strut assembly. Inspect all four tyres closely for uneven shoulder wear, particularly on the front pair, as the repeated edge-wear advisories suggest a possible tracking or suspension geometry issue that has not been corrected. Examine the front brake discs through the wheel for a pronounced lip on the inner edge, mirroring the 2024 finding, and check for any pulling to one side under firm braking. The rear brake binding advisories from both 2023 and 2025 suggest the rear caliper slide pins or handbrake mechanism may be seizing from underuse, a common consequence of low annual mileage. On a test drive, confirm the handbrake holds firmly on an incline and releases cleanly without the car feeling as though it is dragging after pulling away. Ask for evidence of the battery being properly secured, as the 2025 major defect for an insecure battery capable of causing a short circuit is a straightforward but essential fix that must be verified. The oil leak noted in 2023 should be checked by inspecting the underside of the engine and surrounding components for fresh oil residue, and the nearside rear ABS reluctor ring cable flagged as stretched in 2025 is worth confirming has been addressed, as a damaged reluctor can trigger ABS warning lights. Finally, check the rear indicators for any remaining discolouration and ensure the nearside wiper arm clears the bonnet properly, as both were flagged in 2023.