2009 Renault Clio 1.5L Diesel · SP09 ULB

The vehicle presents a concerning roadworthiness profile with a worsening trend in safety-critical mechanical items. The most recent test on March 6, 2025 at 130,875 miles resulted in a failure involving multiple serious safety defects, including an insecure driver's seat, damaged rear seat belts, and inoperative lighting. While the car has passed some previous tests, the frequency of failures suggests a reactive maintenance approach where faults are only addressed after an MOT failure rather than through preventative care. At a recorded mileage of 130,875 miles over 17 years, the vehicle averages approximately 7,700 miles per year. This is consistent with typical usage for an older hatchback of this age. However, the interval between the February 2024 test at 123,554 miles and the March 2025 test at 130,875 miles shows over 7,300 miles driven in a single year. This consistent usage, combined with the recurring failure of suspension components, indicates that the vehicle is subjected to significant mechanical wear across the chassis. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the suspension and braking systems. The history shows a pattern of structural component failure, including a fractured nearside coil spring in 2023 and a corroded offside rear spring in 2024. The tester flagged a binding offside front brake in March 2025, which indicates a sticking caliper or seized slider that requires immediate professional attention. Furthermore, the repeated issues with anti-roll bar linkages and wheel bearings suggest the entire front suspension assembly is nearing the end of its service life. Attention is also required for the interior safety equipment and electrical systems. The 2025 failure highlighted an insecure seat and a damaged seat belt buckle, both of which must be rectified to ensure passenger safety. Given the history of thin brake pads and worn tyres across multiple years, the buyer should assume that the owner has neglected basic consumable maintenance. The vehicle's current state regarding headlamp and wiper failures further suggests that electrical wiring or motor assemblies may be beginning to fail.