1998 Renault Clio — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1998 Renault Clio passed 68.6% of its 2,203 recorded MOT tests. Superminis of a similar age fail 29.3% of the time, so this is 2.1pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.6%) and suspension (14.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, component mounting prescribed areas and catalyst emissions — headlamp aim alone was recorded 187 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 23.9% in the 0-30k band and 38.7% in the 120-150k band, a 14.8-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 31.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 32.7% in 2021 to 29.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.6% | 365 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.0% | 308 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.7% | 235 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.0% | 221 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.7% | 170 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.1% | 134 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 187 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 173 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 171 |
| 4 | Wipers | 122 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 118 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 114 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 31.5% | 693 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.1% | 619 |
| 3 | Brakes | 24.6% | 542 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.8% | 502 |
| 5 | Other defects | 17.8% | 392 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 15.3% | 338 |
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 | 159 | 23.9% |
| 30-60k | 830 | 27.8% |
| 60-90k | 684 | 32.3% |
| 90-120k | 337 | 38.6% |
| 120-150k | 150 | 38.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 749 | 32.7% |
| 2022 | 537 | 31.1% |
| 2023 | 390 | 30.3% |
| 2024 | 306 | 31.7% |
| 2025 | 221 | 29.4% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Clio
On a 1998 Clio, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.7% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 1998 Renault Clios pass their MOT?
68.6% of the 2,203 1998 Renault Clio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Renault Clio?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.6% of tests, followed by suspension (14.0%).
Does the 1998 Clio get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.9% in the 0-30k band to 38.7% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,203 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.