2013 Renault Clio 1.1L Petrol · SF63 TYO

This 2013 Renault Clio presents an exceptionally clean DVSA roadworthiness record across its recent testing history, with five consecutive MOT events between late 2022 and October 2025 yielding a single pass, a single failure, and three further passes. Notably, the failure recorded on 13 November 2023 carried no defect entries, suggesting an administrative or refusal-to-test scenario rather than a mechanical rejection, and the vehicle returned to pass cleanly the very next day. Across all four subsequent passes, the inspector raised zero advisories, no corrosion notes, no brake or suspension concerns, and no emissions issues. For a 13-year-old vehicle, this is a genuinely reassuring pattern that indicates the car has consistently met minimum roadworthiness standards without presenting any borderline wear items to the tester. The mileage profile is unusually low, with 60,709 recorded miles accumulated over approximately 13 years, equating to an annual running of just under 4,700 miles. This places the Clio firmly in light-use territory, well below the typical 7,000 to 10,000 mile annual average for a car of this age. Such low accumulation can be a double-edged mechanical proposition: it generally means components such as the clutch, brake friction material, and drivetrain have experienced less mechanical wear than higher-mileage equivalents, but it can also imply extended periods of standing where rubber elements, seals, and underbody protection may have aged without the benefit of regular use. The mileage readings between tests progress steadily without any sudden jumps, and there is no evidence of a tachometer discrepancy or clocked history. Given the complete absence of advisories across multiple tests, there is no specific component flagged in the MOT history that demands targeted re-inspection. However, a low-mileage Clio of this vintage warrants a focused pre-purchase evaluation on items that the standard MOT does not necessarily cover, starting with the condition of all rubber suspension bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, and the lower wishbone rear bush which is a known weak point on this generation of Clio. On a test drive, listen carefully for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and feel for any vagueness in steering response or wandering at motorway speeds, both of which can indicate worn tie rod ends or perished front bushes that have hardened with age rather than wear. Also inspect the exhaust system for signs of corrosion at the mounting brackets and rear silencer, as these vehicles are now old enough for exhaust components to deteriorate regardless of mileage. A thorough inspection should also extend to the areas not visible during an MOT roller test. Check the engine bay for any signs of oil misting or weeping around the cam cover gasket, valve cover, and oil filter housing, as Renault small-capacity engines of this era can develop minor seepages that worsen over time. Inspect the coolant expansion tank and surrounding hoses for staining that would indicate a slow leak, and verify that the cooling fan activates correctly with the air conditioning engaged. On the test drive, pay attention to brake pedal feel: any sponginess, excessive travel, or pulling to one side under moderate braking could indicate seized caliper slides or a perished rear brake flexihose, both of which are common age-related issues. Finally, given the low annual mileage, confirm that the cambelt and water pump replacement interval has been observed regardless of mileage, as age-based component failure remains a risk on a lightly used vehicle.