2002 Renault Clio — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Renault Clio passed 69.3% of its 31,095 recorded MOT tests. Superminis of a similar age fail 29.4% of the time, so this is 1.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.7% of tests against 14.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and washers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 3,360 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 18.7% in the 0-30k band and 31.2% in the 150k+ band, a 12.6-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 30.6% of the time against 30.9% for diesel.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 34.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.9% in 2021 to 28.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.7% | 6,427 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.1% | 4,390 |
| 3 | Visibility | 9.0% | 2,788 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.4% | 2,612 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.9% | 2,156 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.9% | 2,132 |
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 | 3,360 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 2,628 |
| 3 | Washers | 1,717 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 1,695 |
| 5 | Wipers | 1,582 |
| 6 | Joints | 1,507 |
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 | 34.2% | 10,648 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.4% | 8,817 |
| 3 | Brakes | 28.3% | 8,791 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 22.9% | 7,132 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.2% | 5,973 |
| 6 | Other defects | 18.5% | 5,744 |
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 | 1,061 | 18.7% |
| 30-60k | 6,541 | 26.9% |
| 60-90k | 9,919 | 31.5% |
| 90-120k | 8,404 | 32.9% |
| 120-150k | 3,678 | 33.2% |
| 150k+ | 1,415 | 31.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 27,968 | 30.6% |
| Diesel | 3,121 | 30.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,015 | 31.9% |
| 2022 | 7,530 | 31.1% |
| 2023 | 5,802 | 29.9% |
| 2024 | 4,400 | 29.6% |
| 2025 | 3,348 | 28.6% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Clio
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 20.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (20.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.1% 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.
- Visibility (9.0% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2002 Renault Clios pass their MOT?
69.3% of the 31,095 2002 Renault Clio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Renault Clio?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.7% of tests, followed by suspension (14.1%).
Does the 2002 Clio get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.7% in the 0-30k band to 31.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 31,095 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.