2005 Renault Clio — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 82,438 MOT tests, the 2005 Renault Clio recorded a 67.3% pass rate. Against superminis of a similar age (28.8% fail rate), the 2005 Clio comes out 3.8pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and steering.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 22.2% of all tests — 5.6 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and coil spring — headlamp aim alone was recorded 9,258 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 20.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 34.8% once past 150k.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 32.6% of the time against 33.6% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 29.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 33.8% in 2021 to 30.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.2% | 18,266 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.6% | 13,653 |
| 3 | Steering | 9.5% | 7,838 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.8% | 7,213 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.5% | 7,016 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.0% | 4,970 |
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 | 9,258 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 7,792 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 5,636 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 5,403 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 4,704 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 4,597 |
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 | 29.7% | 24,505 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.3% | 24,190 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.3% | 24,151 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.9% | 18,051 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.2% | 12,527 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.7% | 12,138 |
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 | 2,281 | 20.9% |
| 30-60k | 14,376 | 28.1% |
| 60-90k | 27,465 | 33.3% |
| 90-120k | 25,001 | 34.6% |
| 120-150k | 10,464 | 34.6% |
| 150k+ | 2,768 | 34.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 76,157 | 32.6% |
| Diesel | 6,281 | 33.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 24,377 | 33.8% |
| 2022 | 19,527 | 32.7% |
| 2023 | 16,045 | 32.2% |
| 2024 | 12,603 | 32.4% |
| 2025 | 9,886 | 30.9% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Clio
On a 2005 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 (16.6% 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.
- Steering (9.5% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£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 2005 Renault Clios pass their MOT?
67.3% of the 82,438 2005 Renault Clio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Renault Clio?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.2% of tests, followed by suspension (16.6%).
Does the 2005 Clio get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.9% in the 0-30k band to 34.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 82,438 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.