2009 Renault Clio 1.6L Petrol · ST09 MXP

This Clio presents a mixed mechanical picture following its most recent MOT pass on 22 August 2025 at 90,179 miles, just under ten months ago. The maintenance trend is broadly stable but not improving, with several recurring advisories left to accumulate rather than resolve. The tester flagged binding front service brakes on both sides, slight play in the nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint, and a corroded offside front brake pipe covered in grease. A nail was found in the nearside rear tyre alongside perishing on both rear tyres, and the fuel pipes remain corroded. These are not fresh defects; they mirror items raised during the preceding failed test on 21 August 2025, suggesting the owner addressed only the minimum failure points rather than undertaking a thorough repair. The mileage pattern tells a story of very light use that has recently stalled. Between 2023 and 2024 the car covered roughly 2,300 miles per year, consistent with the overall lifetime average of around 5,300 miles annually. Yet the odometer shows no movement whatsoever between the August 2025 failure and the August 2025 pass, both recorded at exactly 90,179 miles. This indicates either a genuine period of prolonged standing, a replacement or correction of the speedometer reading, or a clerical anomaly at the testing station. A buyer should verify whether the vehicle has been sitting unused for months, as extended standing can cause brake binding, tyre flat-spotting, and fuel system deterioration, all of which appear in the record. A physical inspection should focus on the front brake circuit. Binding calipers combined with a corroded brake pipe and fluctuating pedal response point to a hydraulic or mechanical fault that has persisted across two tests. The anti-roll bar linkage play, while slight, will worsen if ignored and often masks worn suspension bushes beneath the subframe. The rear axle and suspension mounting areas have shown corrosion advisories in consecutive years, so a close look underneath for structural weakening is essential, particularly given the sill covers that have prevented full inspection at every test since 2024. Tyre condition remains a recurring weak point. Four consecutive tests have flagged tyres worn to the legal limit or perished, and the nail puncture from August 2025 may indicate a slow puncture or embedded debris still present. The fuel pipe corrosion, noted in three successive years, is a genuine concern on a petrol vehicle of this age and should be examined for leaks or weeping, especially around the rear floorpan and tank connections. Overall, the car appears mechanically tired rather than dangerous, but the pattern of deferred minor faults suggests a buyer should budget for front brake overhaul, fresh rear tyres, and a thorough corrosion assessment before committing.