2003 Renault Clio — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 47,556 MOT tests, the 2003 Renault Clio recorded a 67.8% pass rate. Against superminis of a similar age (29.3% fail rate), the 2003 Clio comes out 2.8pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 22.2% of all tests — 6.1 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 5,360 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 34.2% versus 21.4%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 32.1% of the time against 32.6% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 34.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 33.3% in 2021 to 30.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.2% | 10,543 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.1% | 7,648 |
| 3 | Visibility | 8.9% | 4,222 |
| 4 | Steering | 8.4% | 3,998 |
| 5 | Brakes | 8.2% | 3,888 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 3,329 |
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 | 5,360 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 4,298 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 3,100 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 2,857 |
| 5 | Washers | 2,756 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 2,466 |
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 | 34.6% | 16,452 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.0% | 13,806 |
| 3 | Brakes | 27.3% | 12,995 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.9% | 9,936 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 20.2% | 9,600 |
| 6 | Other defects | 17.2% | 8,163 |
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 | 1,561 | 21.4% |
| 30-60k | 9,687 | 28.5% |
| 60-90k | 15,346 | 32.5% |
| 90-120k | 13,438 | 34.7% |
| 120-150k | 5,559 | 33.6% |
| 150k+ | 1,802 | 34.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 43,576 | 32.1% |
| Diesel | 3,980 | 32.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,110 | 33.3% |
| 2022 | 11,525 | 32.3% |
| 2023 | 8,977 | 31.6% |
| 2024 | 6,750 | 31.5% |
| 2025 | 5,194 | 30.2% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Clio
On a 2003 Clio, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 22.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (22.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.1% 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 (8.9% 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 2003 Renault Clios pass their MOT?
67.8% of the 47,556 2003 Renault Clio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Renault Clio?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.2% of tests, followed by suspension (16.1%).
Does the 2003 Clio get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.4% in the 0-30k band to 34.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 47,556 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.