1999 Renault Clio — MOT failures & pass rate
5,039 MOT tests on the 1999 Renault Clio are in this dataset, and 68.8% of them passed. That is 1.9 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 29.4%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.3% of tests against 12.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and headlamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 426 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 37.7% versus 23.2%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 34.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.3% | 920 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.9% | 649 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.2% | 514 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.8% | 492 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.7% | 387 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.3% | 366 |
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 | 426 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 422 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 313 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 287 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 277 |
| 6 | Wipers | 253 |
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 | 34.5% | 1,738 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.5% | 1,434 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.9% | 1,206 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.9% | 1,153 |
| 5 | Other defects | 19.5% | 982 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 950 |
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 | 280 | 23.2% |
| 30-60k | 1,596 | 28.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,802 | 33.0% |
| 90-120k | 902 | 33.4% |
| 120-150k | 314 | 31.9% |
| 150k+ | 106 | 37.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,679 | 30.9% |
| 2022 | 1,278 | 32.2% |
| 2023 | 896 | 29.6% |
| 2024 | 697 | 33.1% |
| 2025 | 489 | 30.3% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Clio
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.9% 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 (10.2% 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 1999 Renault Clios pass their MOT?
68.8% of the 5,039 1999 Renault Clio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Renault Clio?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.3% of tests, followed by suspension (12.9%).
Does the 1999 Clio get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.2% in the 0-30k band to 37.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,039 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.