2006 Renault Clio 1.1L Petrol · WN06 WVW

This Renault Clio's MOT history reveals a pattern of recurring front suspension deterioration that has now resulted in two major failures within the last three years, despite the vehicle covering relatively few miles. The most recent test on 20 August 2025 returned a pass, but only after a significant failure just six days earlier on 14 August 2025, which cited a missing nearside front steering rack gaiter and an insecure rear exhaust system alongside advisories for a worn offside front lower suspension arm bush and the persistent deteriorated rear registration plate. Looking back further, the 2022 test cycle saw two major defects recorded on 15 August 2022 for an excessively worn nearside front lower suspension arm bush and a fractured offside front coil spring, indicating that the front suspension and steering components on this Clio are subject to ongoing wear rather than isolated incidents. A failed position lamp in 2023 and the deteriorating CV boot flagged in 2022 add to a record that, while it has produced passes, contains a notable accumulation of structural and component-level defects. The recorded mileage of 90,977 miles on a 2006 vehicle equates to an annual average of roughly 4,549 miles, which is low for a car of this age and points towards either limited regular use or extended periods of standing. Lower-mileage vehicles of this vintage are not necessarily advantaged mechanically, as age-related deterioration of rubber components, bushes, gaiters, and exhaust mountings tends to occur regardless of distance covered. The recurring advisories for suspension bushes, the fractured coil spring, and the perished CV boot all support the expectation that rubber and elastomeric items have degraded through age rather than wear, a pattern consistent with a lightly used but two-decade-old supermini. There are no unusual gaps in the testing record, with annual tests consistently recorded between 2021 and 2025, allowing a continuous view of the vehicle's condition over that period. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the front suspension geometry, as the offside front lower arm bush was noted as worn on the most recent test and the nearside equivalent was previously recorded as excessively worn. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end, particularly over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, and feel for any vagueness or knocking through the steering wheel which could indicate further deterioration of the rack gaiter area or the bushes themselves. The fractured offside front coil spring flagged in 2022 is also worth checking visually for any sagging of the vehicle's front corner or uneven ride height, and any new knocking over bumps should be treated seriously given the component's prior failure. Steering rack gaiters should be inspected for splits or tears, as the recent major defect for a missing gaiter raises the risk of water and dirt ingress into the rack itself, which can lead to heavy or uneven steering if left unresolved. The exhaust system should be checked for security and condition, given the August 2025 major defect for an insecure rear section, and a buyer should listen for any blowing noises, rattles, or excessive movement when the system is manipulated by hand during inspection. The nearside front outer CV boot, which was flagged as severely deteriorated in 2022, should be examined for any fresh grease deposits around the joint or splits in the rubber, as perished boots can lead to joint failure if the grease escapes and contamination enters. Finally, the recurring rear registration plate deterioration, while classed as an advisory only, suggests the plastic has become brittle through age, and the nearside rear tyre wear recorded in 2021 should prompt a careful check of all four tyres for uneven wear patterns, sidewall cracking, or age-related hardening given the vehicle's low annual mileage.