At a Glance
The Renault Clio has 38 identified common problems across 5 generations, with the Mk2 (1998-2005) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 9.8M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Renault Clio common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Renault Clio generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Renault Clio Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
Mk1
Top issue: Steering coupling worn
Mk2
Top issue: Coil spring broken or corroded
Mk3
Top issue: Seat belt condition
Mk4
Most common MOT failure: Ball joint worn
Mk5
Most common MOT failure: Tyre condition
Most Common Renault Clio MOT Failures
Every reason Renault Clio vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 7.56% |
| 2 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 6.95% |
| 3 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 6.79% |
| 4 | Number plate lamp not working | 6.04% |
| 5 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 5.74% |
| 6 | Brake performance below minimum | 5.03% |
| 7 | Tyre condition | 4.30% |
| 8 | Driveshaft fault | 4.13% |
| 9 | Headlamp aim defect | 4.06% |
| 10 | Stop lamp not working | 4.04% |
| 11 | Front lamp not working | 3.82% |
| 12 | Track rod end worn | 3.07% |
| 13 | Exhaust system fault | 2.94% |
| 14 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 2.82% |
| 15 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.77% |
| 16 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.70% |
| 17 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 2.52% |
| 18 | Brake pads or linings worn | 2.27% |
| 19 | Position lamp not working | 1.76% |
| 20 | Headlamp fault | 1.46% |
| 21 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.31% |
| 22 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.23% |
| 23 | Steering rack fault | 1.22% |
| 24 | Rear suspension fault | 0.75% |
| 25 | Parking brake condition | 0.74% |
| 26 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.70% |
| 27 | Indicator fault | 0.69% |
| 28 | Airbag warning light on | 0.68% |
| 29 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.65% |
| 30 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.63% |
| 31 | Rear lamp not working | 0.62% |
| 32 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.61% |
| 33 | Seat belt condition | 0.60% |
| 34 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.58% |
| 35 | Front suspension fault | 0.54% |
| 36 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.54% |
| 37 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.45% |
| 38 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.45% |
| 39 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.44% |
| 40 | Horn not working | 0.44% |
| 41 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.35% |
| 42 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.34% |
| 43 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.32% |
| 44 | Fog lamp not working | 0.29% |
| 45 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.29% |
| 46 | ABS fault | 0.27% |
| 47 | Steering free play excessive | 0.20% |
| 48 | Brake lever fault | 0.17% |
| 49 | Brake pedal fault | 0.17% |
| 50 | Electrical switch fault | 0.14% |
| 51 | Brake fluid leak | 0.14% |
| 52 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.14% |
| 53 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.13% |
| 54 | Chassis condition | 0.12% |
| 55 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.12% |
| 56 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.12% |
| 57 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.10% |
| 58 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.10% |
| 59 | Steering arm worn | 0.10% |
| 60 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.09% |
| 61 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.08% |
| 62 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.07% |
| 63 | Engine oil leak | 0.07% |
| 64 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.07% |
| 65 | CV joint worn | 0.06% |
| 66 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.06% |
| 67 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.06% |
| 68 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.05% |
| 69 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.05% |
| 70 | Drag link end worn | 0.05% |
| 71 | Spare wheel fault | 0.04% |
| 72 | Brake caliper fault | 0.04% |
| 73 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.04% |
| 74 | Steering column fault | 0.04% |
| 75 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.04% |
| 76 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.04% |
| 77 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.03% |
| 78 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.03% |
| 79 | Body security fault | 0.03% |
| 80 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.03% |
| 81 | Driver airbag fault | 0.03% |
| 82 | Steering operation fault | 0.03% |
| 83 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.03% |
| 84 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 85 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.02% |
| 86 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 87 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 88 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 89 | Steering lock fault | 0.02% |
| 90 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 91 | Propshaft fault | 0.02% |
| 92 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 93 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.02% |
| 94 | Suspension unit fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Passenger seat fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 97 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.02% |
| 98 | Steering coupling worn | 0.02% |
| 99 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.02% |
| 100 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.01% |
| 101 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.01% |
| 102 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.01% |
| 103 | Front passenger door fault | 0.01% |
| 104 | Load sensing valve fault | 0.01% |
| 105 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.01% |
| 106 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.01% |
| 107 | Driver door fault | 0.01% |
| 108 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.01% |
| 109 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.01% |
| 110 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 112 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 115 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 118 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 120 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 125 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 126 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 129 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 130 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 132 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 133 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 135 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 136 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 137 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 141 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 144 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 145 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 146 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 149 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 150 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 151 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 152 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 153 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 156 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 158 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 160 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 161 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 162 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 164 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 166 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 170 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 172 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 174 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 176 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 178 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 182 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 183 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 184 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 185 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 186 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 187 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 188 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 189 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 190 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 191 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 192 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
| 193 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 194 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 195 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 196 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 197 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 198 | Leaf spring slipper worn | <0.01% |
| 199 | Passenger hand grip fault | <0.01% |
| 200 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 201 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
Showing all 201 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Renault Clio MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Renault Clio, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Renault Clio problems?
Based on analysis of 9.8M Renault Clio MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 38 identified common problems across 5 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Coil spring broken or corroded". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Renault Clio generation has the most problems?
The Renault Clio Mk2 (1998-2005) (1998–2005) has the highest number of identified common problems (38). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Renault Clio?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Renault Clio owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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