2001 Renault Clio — MOT failures & pass rate
18,328 MOT tests on the 2001 Renault Clio are in this dataset, and 69.4% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail 29.5% of the time, so this is 1.1pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 19.0% of all tests — 5.8 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,516 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 21.4% in the 0-30k band and 33.3% in the 150k+ band, a 12.0-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 30.5% of the time against 31.6% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 33.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 32.2% in 2021 to 28.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.0% | 3,475 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.2% | 2,415 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.5% | 1,928 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.8% | 1,622 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.5% | 1,372 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.3% | 1,153 |
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 | 1,516 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 1,137 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 1,096 |
| 4 | Washers | 1,002 |
| 5 | Wipers | 952 |
| 6 | Joints | 876 |
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 | 33.1% | 6,067 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.6% | 5,240 |
| 3 | Brakes | 27.9% | 5,118 |
| 4 | Other defects | 19.6% | 3,590 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.0% | 3,475 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 18.3% | 3,346 |
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 | 693 | 21.4% |
| 30-60k | 4,560 | 27.8% |
| 60-90k | 6,070 | 30.9% |
| 90-120k | 4,319 | 32.4% |
| 120-150k | 1,845 | 34.0% |
| 150k+ | 771 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 17,413 | 30.5% |
| Diesel | 915 | 31.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,989 | 32.2% |
| 2022 | 4,392 | 30.6% |
| 2023 | 3,370 | 29.7% |
| 2024 | 2,588 | 29.5% |
| 2025 | 1,989 | 28.4% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Clio
On a 2001 Clio, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.2% 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 (10.5% 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 2001 Renault Clios pass their MOT?
69.4% of the 18,328 2001 Renault Clio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Renault Clio?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.0% of tests, followed by suspension (13.2%).
Does the 2001 Clio get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.4% in the 0-30k band to 33.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 18,328 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.