2013 Renault Clio 1.1L Petrol · SP13 OBX

The 2013 Renault Clio’s most recent MOT test on 2025-05-17—just 14 months ago—shows a concerning pattern of consecutive failures and passes at identical mileages (58,920), which suggests either a deliberate retest after a minor oversight or a persistent, unresolved issue that narrowly avoided failure. The lack of recorded defects in either the pass or fail entries implies the tester did not identify any critical mechanical or structural concerns, but the repeated retesting at the same mileage is unusual and warrants scrutiny. The previous cycle in 2024 also exhibited this pattern, with a failure and pass at 56,465 and 56,467 miles respectively, reinforcing the possibility of a recurring, borderline condition that was either overlooked or addressed inconsistently. Without specific advisory notes, the trend leans towards stable but potentially neglected maintenance, with no evidence of worsening structural integrity or safety-critical failures. The vehicle’s mileage of 58,920 over 13 years—approximately 4,532 miles annually—is unusually low for its age, suggesting either light usage or prolonged periods of inactivity. The gap between tests varies significantly: a 5,478-mile interval between the 2022 and 2024 tests, followed by a more typical 2,452-mile span between the 2024 and 2025 cycles. This inconsistency could indicate sporadic servicing or ownership changes, with no clear pattern of regular upkeep. The absence of any advisory notes in the MOT history means no explicit warnings about suspension wear, brake deterioration, or corrosion were documented, but the low mileage does not guarantee such issues are absent—older vehicles often develop hidden problems even with minimal use. Given the lack of detailed MOT advisories, a buyer should prioritise a thorough inspection of the suspension components, particularly the rear bushings and coil springs, which are common failure points in Renault Clios of this era. The repeated retesting hints at potential brake-related concerns, so the condition of the rear brake calipers, discs, and binding mechanisms should be checked for uneven wear or corrosion. Structural integrity is another critical area; despite the low mileage, corrosion in wheel arches, sills, or the subframe is possible, especially if the vehicle has spent time in wet or salted environments. Tyre tread depth and uniformity should also be verified, as the absence of any tyre-related advisories in past tests suggests either diligent maintenance or a risk of uneven wear from underinflation or alignment issues.