2000 Renault Clio — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 9,793 MOT tests, the 2000 Renault Clio recorded a 68.6% pass rate. Superminis of a similar age fail 29.4% of the time, so this is 2.0pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.7% of tests against 12.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 761 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 22.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 35.3% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 33.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 32.3% in 2021 to 29.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.7% | 1,835 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.6% | 1,230 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.9% | 1,163 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.3% | 911 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.1% | 887 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.7% | 653 |
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 | 761 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 704 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 678 |
| 4 | Wipers | 577 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 575 |
| 6 | Washers | 512 |
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 | 33.0% | 3,236 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.0% | 2,741 |
| 3 | Brakes | 27.2% | 2,661 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.1% | 2,265 |
| 5 | Other defects | 19.4% | 1,900 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 19.1% | 1,871 |
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 | 395 | 22.3% |
| 30-60k | 2,578 | 28.5% |
| 60-90k | 3,377 | 32.9% |
| 90-120k | 2,386 | 32.9% |
| 120-150k | 710 | 32.7% |
| 150k+ | 323 | 35.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 9,692 | 31.4% |
| Diesel | 101 | 32.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,158 | 32.3% |
| 2022 | 2,380 | 30.9% |
| 2023 | 1,908 | 31.8% |
| 2024 | 1,353 | 31.0% |
| 2025 | 994 | 29.9% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Clio
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.6% 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.
- Brakes (11.9% 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.
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 2000 Renault Clios pass their MOT?
68.6% of the 9,793 2000 Renault Clio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Renault Clio?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.7% of tests, followed by suspension (12.6%).
Does the 2000 Clio get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.3% in the 0-30k band to 35.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,793 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.