2013 Renault Clio 0.9L Petrol · SH13 NKS

A pattern of progressive front suspension wear dominates the MOT history of this 2013 Renault Clio, with the most recent test on 17 September 2025 recording a pass but only twelve days after a failure on 5 September 2025 for an excessively worn offside front lower suspension arm ball joint. This is not an isolated event. The nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint was first flagged with slight play as an advisory in September 2022, repeated again in September 2023, and the offside front counterpart progressed to a major failure in September 2024 through a fractured nearside front coil spring. The recurrence of advisories on both sides of the front suspension across three tests before any replacement intervention suggests that the wear pattern has been allowed to develop over a sustained period rather than being addressed at the first sign of play. The recorded mileage of 45,263 miles over roughly thirteen years equates to an annual accumulation of around 3,482 miles, which is notably low for the vehicle's age and points to a usage profile weighted heavily toward short, infrequent journeys rather than steady regular driving. Such low annual mileage typically results in longer standing periods between use, which can promote corrosion on unprotected ferrous components, drying and cracking of rubber boots and bushes, and stagnation of underbody fluids. However, it also means that major wear items such as the clutch, bulkhead and engine internals are unlikely to have accumulated the fatigue associated with high-mileage examples, while the MOT record shows no dramatic mileage increases or extended gaps between tests that would imply the vehicle was off the road for multiple consecutive years. For a prospective buyer, the front suspension should be the primary focus of any physical inspection. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed humps, uneven road surfaces and when turning at low speed, as these are characteristic of worn ball joints and degraded lower arm bushes. Pay particular attention to any vagueness in steering response, wandering at motorway speeds, or uneven tyre wear across the front axle, which often accompanies perished suspension components. Request evidence that both lower suspension arms and their ball joints have been replaced, ideally with uprated or reconditioned units, and confirm whether the fractured nearside front coil spring was replaced with a matched pair, as Renault Clios of this generation are known for coil spring failure transferring to the opposite side if only the failed unit is changed. Beyond the suspension, the recurring deterioration of the nearside front outer CV boot warrants close attention. This was first recorded as deteriorated in September 2022, repeated as severely deteriorated in October 2021 and September 2023, and the most recent test makes no mention of it, which suggests it may have been repaired or replaced at some point, but the buyer should inspect the nearside inner and outer CV boots for fresh grease contamination, splits or perished rubber, and on the test drive listen for clicking or knocking from the front when turning sharply at low speed. The rear tyres flagged as slightly damaged and perishing on both sides in September 2023 and 2024 also indicate age-related rubber degradation, so inspect the sidewalls for hairline cracks and confirm the rear tyres have been replaced since the last advisory. Finally, check that the offside rear direction indicator recorded as the wrong colour in October 2021 has been corrected to a proper amber lens rather than a taped or sprayed fix, and inspect the rear light cluster for correct specification.