2008 Renault Clio — MOT failures & pass rate
129,357 MOT tests on the 2008 Renault Clio are in this dataset, and 68.6% of them passed. That is 4.5 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 26.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and steering.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.0% of tests against 17.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, track rod end and coil spring — position lamp alone was recorded 12,546 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.3% in the 0-30k band and 35.0% in the 150k+ band, a 14.8-point spread.
The petrol cars hold up better: 31.2% fail against 32.8% for diesel, a 1.6-point gap across 129,357 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 30.1% 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 | 21.0% | 27,169 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.4% | 22,468 |
| 3 | Steering | 9.1% | 11,716 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.1% | 10,534 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.4% | 9,632 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.8% | 7,471 |
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 | 12,546 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 11,631 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 11,100 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 9,570 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 9,123 |
| 6 | Washers | 6,475 |
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 | 30.1% | 38,912 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.8% | 33,337 |
| 3 | Suspension | 23.4% | 30,275 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.0% | 21,952 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.7% | 17,771 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.5% | 17,406 |
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 | 3,045 | 20.3% |
| 30-60k | 19,656 | 26.1% |
| 60-90k | 45,754 | 31.1% |
| 90-120k | 41,206 | 33.6% |
| 120-150k | 14,928 | 34.4% |
| 150k+ | 4,656 | 35.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 110,866 | 31.2% |
| Diesel | 18,491 | 32.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 32,311 | 31.0% |
| 2022 | 29,392 | 31.4% |
| 2023 | 26,229 | 31.6% |
| 2024 | 22,619 | 31.7% |
| 2025 | 18,806 | 31.8% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Clio
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 21.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (21.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.4% 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 (9.1% 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 2008 Renault Clios pass their MOT?
68.6% of the 129,357 2008 Renault Clio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Renault Clio?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.0% of tests, followed by suspension (17.4%).
Does the 2008 Clio get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.3% in the 0-30k band to 35.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 129,357 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.