2007 Renault Clio — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2007 Renault Clio passed 68.0% of its 166,999 recorded MOT tests. Superminis of a similar age fail 27.7% of the time, so this is 4.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (20.6%) and suspension (18.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, coil spring and track rod end — position lamp alone was recorded 15,564 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 20.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 35.0% once past 150k.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 31.9% of the time against 33.1% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 30.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.6% | 34,458 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.2% | 30,322 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.0% | 15,001 |
| 4 | Steering | 8.6% | 14,271 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.5% | 12,480 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.9% | 9,847 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 15,564 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 14,585 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 13,326 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 12,069 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 10,180 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 8,681 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 30.0% | 50,182 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.2% | 47,153 |
| 3 | Suspension | 25.4% | 42,426 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 27,320 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 15.0% | 25,133 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.9% | 24,882 |
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 | 3,341 | 20.1% |
| 30-60k | 24,876 | 26.8% |
| 60-90k | 59,102 | 31.9% |
| 90-120k | 54,218 | 33.8% |
| 120-150k | 20,157 | 34.9% |
| 150k+ | 5,137 | 35.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 147,352 | 31.9% |
| Diesel | 19,639 | 33.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 44,460 | 32.1% |
| 2022 | 38,745 | 31.9% |
| 2023 | 33,511 | 32.1% |
| 2024 | 27,964 | 32.2% |
| 2025 | 22,319 | 31.8% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Clio
On a 2007 Clio, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (20.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (18.2% 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 (9.0% 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 2007 Renault Clios pass their MOT?
68.0% of the 166,999 2007 Renault Clio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Renault Clio?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.6% of tests, followed by suspension (18.2%).
Does the 2007 Clio get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.1% in the 0-30k band to 35.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 166,999 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.