2008 Renault Clio 1.1L Petrol · YA57 RFE

The vehicle remains roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a persistent failure to address recurring steering components. While the most recent test in July 2025 at 118,749 miles passed, it again flagged the offside front track rod end ball joint with slight play. This specific fault has appeared in every MOT record since at least 105,913 miles, indicating that the owner has opted to tolerate minor mechanical wear rather than replacing the component when advised. At a recorded 118,749 miles, the Clio has averaged approximately 6,600 miles per year over its eighteen-year life, which is consistent with low-intensity usage. The mileage progression shows steady use, with roughly 6,500 miles covered between the July 2023 and 2024 tests, and another 6,300 miles leading into the 2025 inspection. This regularity suggests the car is not sat for long periods, though the age- natural degradation of rubber components and fluid lines. A buyer must focus on the front suspension and braking systems, as the track rod end has been a recurring advisory failure for three consecutive years. The history also reveals a long-term issue with brake hose corrosion; the nearside rear hose showed corrosion at the ferrule in both 2022 and 2024. Although these were not flagged in the most recent test, the history of corrosion on rubber hydraulic lines warrants a physical inspection for bulging or structural cracking that could lead to sudden failure. Given the previous thin brake pads and worn discs noted in 2023, the current remaining life of the front braking system should be verified. The 2022 failure for a worn tyre on the edge suggests past issues with alignment or basic maintenance neglect. The buyer should also inspect the chassis for structural corrosion, as the MOT record does not explicitly mention structural failures, but rust is common for vehicles of this era and model.