2006 Renault Clio — MOT failures & pass rate
132,247 MOT tests on the 2006 Renault Clio are in this dataset, and 67.8% of them passed. That is 3.8 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 28.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (20.0%) and suspension (18.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, position lamp and ball joint — coil spring alone was recorded 11,693 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.8% in the 0-30k band and 35.0% in the 150k+ band, a 14.3-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 32.1% of the time against 32.2% for petrol.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 31.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.0% | 26,493 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.1% | 23,965 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.6% | 12,737 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.9% | 10,462 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.7% | 8,854 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.0% | 7,914 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 11,693 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 11,069 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 9,286 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 7,786 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 7,499 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 7,482 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 31.5% | 41,607 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.4% | 40,199 |
| 3 | Suspension | 26.4% | 34,843 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 16.3% | 21,510 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.5% | 20,445 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.9% | 19,670 |
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 | 2,847 | 20.8% |
| 30-60k | 19,471 | 27.1% |
| 60-90k | 45,260 | 32.1% |
| 90-120k | 42,908 | 34.0% |
| 120-150k | 16,763 | 34.5% |
| 150k+ | 4,822 | 35.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 115,993 | 32.2% |
| Diesel | 16,251 | 32.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 37,540 | 32.3% |
| 2022 | 31,295 | 32.2% |
| 2023 | 26,102 | 32.2% |
| 2024 | 21,095 | 32.3% |
| 2025 | 16,215 | 31.6% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Clio
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 20.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (20.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (18.1% 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.
- Brakes (9.6% 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 2006 Renault Clios pass their MOT?
67.8% of the 132,247 2006 Renault Clio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Renault Clio?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.0% of tests, followed by suspension (18.1%).
Does the 2006 Clio get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.8% in the 0-30k band to 35.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 132,247 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.