1996 Renault Clio — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,254 MOT tests, the 1996 Renault Clio recorded a 71.6% pass rate. Superminis of a similar age fail at 28.6%, so the 1996 Clio sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (13.2%) and lighting & signalling (11.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, service brake imbalance and component mounting prescribed areas — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 147 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 23.8% in the 0-30k band and 35.9% in the 150k+ band, a 12.0-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 30.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.1% in 2021 to 27.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 13.2% | 166 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.1% | 139 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 10.1% | 126 |
| 4 | Suspension | 10.0% | 125 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.3% | 117 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.5% | 81 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 147 |
| 2 | Service brake imbalance | 86 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 81 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 64 |
| 5 | Wipers | 63 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 63 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 30.5% | 382 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.3% | 380 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.9% | 274 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.2% | 266 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.5% | 232 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.5% | 144 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 109 | 23.8% |
| 30-60k | 476 | 25.8% |
| 60-90k | 336 | 30.6% |
| 90-120k | 207 | 29.9% |
| 120-150k | 73 | 31.5% |
| 150k+ | 53 | 35.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 373 | 31.1% |
| 2022 | 278 | 28.4% |
| 2023 | 236 | 28.4% |
| 2024 | 200 | 24.5% |
| 2025 | 167 | 27.0% |
What to check before buying a 1996 Clio
On a 1996 Clio, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (13.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (11.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (10.1% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1996 Renault Clios pass their MOT?
71.6% of the 1,254 1996 Renault Clio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1996 Renault Clio?
Brakes, recorded in 13.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.1%).
Does the 1996 Clio get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.8% in the 0-30k band to 35.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,254 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.