2009 Renault Clio 1.5L Diesel · SY59 VKT

The vehicle currently holds a valid pass certificate issued on 1 August 2025 at 102,135 miles with no recorded defects, remaining legal until August 2026. This result indicates a significant improvement following a period of mechanical instability seen in early 2024. The March 2024 failure regarding a fractured nearside front coil spring was rectified before the subsequent April 2024 retest achieved a pass without advisories. Recent testing suggests the immediate safety-critical systems now meet statutory requirements, though the history reveals a pattern of neglect prior to the current maintenance intervention. At roughly 6,000 miles per year, the odometer reading aligns with typical usage for a 2009 model. However, the interval between the failed test on 30 March 2024 and the passed test on 3 April 2024 shows only three days elapsed while covering just three miles. This tight turnaround implies immediate repair work occurred rather than prolonged storage. Conversely, the gap between May 2023 and March 2024 represents nearly ten months where the vehicle remained off the road or untested, potentially allowing corrosion or fluid degradation to develop unnoticed during that dormant period. A physical inspection must prioritise the rear braking assembly and steering geometry given the multiple failures logged in April 2023. The tester previously flagged inadequate service brake effort on the offside rear wheel alongside binding on the nearside front, indicating potential seized caliper pistons or worn hydraulic seals that may have been replaced but require verification. Inspect the suspension mounts for fresh grease or signs of recent replacement where the broken spring was located. Verify the steering rack inner joints for play, as an advisory appeared in May 2023 shortly after major brake repairs, suggesting these components often degrade together under load.