2015 Renault Twingo 1.0L Petrol · SL64 OBX

A chronic pattern of front suspension wear is the defining mechanical story of this Renault Twingo. The 2026-05-02 test recorded a pass, but it carried four advisories, all concentrated on the front end: play in the offside suspension arm ball joint, play in the offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint, and worn pins or bushes in both front lower suspension arms, together with cracking and perishing on both front tyres. The same offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint play was flagged again on the 2025-06-03 pass, and the offside front lower arm ball joint appeared on that test too, meaning the geometry of these joints has been recorded as deteriorating across two consecutive examinations rather than appearing for the first time. Earlier history reinforces this. A 2022-07-07 attempt failed with a dangerous and major Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn, and a 2024-05-07 attempt failed with a major nearside front shock absorber fluid leak alongside a dangerous tyre tread deficit, so the record contains two failures, one dangerous failure on tyres, and a recurring cluster of advisories all sitting at the front axle. The trend from 2021 onwards is best described as progressively noisier at the front rather than stable. Mileage on this eleven year old Twingo stands at 81,673 miles, which equates to around 7,425 miles per year over its life, a broadly typical accumulation rate for a small city car of this age. The test entries do not reveal any large single year jumps, and there are no extended gaps that would suggest the car was laid up for long periods, although one duplicate test date in 2022 and another in 2024 indicate a failure immediately followed by a retest pass on the same visit. Mechanically, this kind of mid-range mileage on a light vehicle should not in itself condemn the drivetrain, but the suspension and tyre wear evident in the MOT record is consistent with a car that has been used regularly on worn urban and rural surfaces rather than one that has been stored. A prospective buyer should focus the inspection tightly on the front suspension. Listen for clonking or knocking from the offside front over speed bumps and during full-lock low-speed manoeuvres, as anti-roll bar link ball joint play often presents as a metallic rattle over uneven tarmac. With the engine off and the car jacked, grip the offside front wheel at nine and three o'clock and rock it, feeling for distinct clunking or rotational play in the hub, which would indicate worn lower arm ball joints or bushes rather than simply perished rubber. The nearside front shock absorber previously leaked fluid, so check the bodywork around the nearside front wheel arch and under-bonnet turret for dampness, staining, or a shiny oil film on the damper body, and bounce each front corner to verify the damping is firm rather than allowing the car to oscillate more than once after being pushed down. Brake pedal feel deserves attention as well, since sticking or binding calipers often accompany neglected suspension on small French cars of this era; a warm offside front wheel after a steady drive, or a pulling sensation under light braking, would be telling. On the road, expect the Twingo to tramline or wander slightly over cracked surfaces if the front bushes and anti-roll bar links are worn, and note any vagueness or delay in steering response on motorway speeds. Inspect both front tyres for sidewall cracking and tread step-formation, as the 2026 advisories flagged perishing on both fronts and a dangerous tear and exposed ply were recorded on earlier sets, meaning replacement with matching, correctly sized items is likely overdue. Finally, examine the rear of the car around the offside rear wheel arch, where an embedded nail and edge wear were noted in 2024, and confirm the spare is present and serviceable before purchase.