2012 Renault Clio 1.1L Petrol · YC62 FHM

The defining mechanical story for this 2012 Renault Clio is a pattern of corrosion-related advisories affecting the braking and fuel systems, alongside intermittent lighting and wiper defects that have triggered recent failures. The most recent test on 9 June 2025 was ultimately passed, but only after an immediate re-test on the same day that recorded both front windscreen wipers as not working, with the headlamp lens haziness flagged as advisory on both occasions. Going back to 13 April 2024, the vehicle presented a more concerning picture: brake pipe corrosion was recorded across the nearside front, nearside rear, and the offside front-to-rear main feed, alongside a corroded fuel pipe. That same test failed initially on both front position lamps, which suggests recurring electrical and lamp issues have been a feature of the car's recent MOT history. While the 2023 test was comparatively clean aside from front brake disc wear and a slight offside front track rod end ball joint play, the cumulative picture indicates that the underfloor metalwork and exterior lighting require close scrutiny before purchase. With 92,864 miles recorded over approximately 14 years, the vehicle sits close to the average annual accumulation of around 6,600 miles, which is broadly typical for its age rather than unusually low or high. There is a notable three-year gap between the May 2023 test and the April 2024 test, with no recorded MOTs during 2021 and 2022 aside from the September 2021 pass on an offside rear tyre cracking advisory. Earlier gaps are also evident, with no tests shown between September 2020 and September 2021. This pattern suggests the vehicle may have been off the road for periods, but the mileage recorded between tests does not indicate any abnormally rapid accumulation. For a Clio of this age and mileage, the wear on suspension, brake, and drivetrain components is consistent with normal service use, although the underfloor corrosion advisories suggest environmental exposure regardless of mileage. A prospective buyer should focus the pre-purchase inspection on the brake and fuel pipework that were flagged in 2024, as corrosion on these items tends to progress between tests. On a ramp or with the wheels removed, check the brake pipes along their full length, particularly the front-to-rear main feed and the nearside front and rear sections, looking for surface rust, pitting, or any flaking that could compromise integrity. The fuel pipes should be inspected for similar corrosion, paying attention to unions and mounting clips. A test drive should include firm braking from moderate speed to assess for pedal pulsation, pulling to either side, or any sponginess, as fluctuating front service brake performance was recorded as a major failure in 2020. Listen for clonking or knocking from the front suspension over uneven roads, which could indicate worn track rod end ball joints or bushes, and pay particular attention to the offside front coil spring area, given the fractured spring recorded in 2020. Finally, verify that both front windscreen wipers operate correctly across all speeds and that the headlamp lenses, while hazed, still produce an acceptable beam pattern, and confirm all front position lamps and direction indicators function with the correct colour.