2009 Renault Clio — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2009 Renault Clio passed 69.0% of its 127,580 recorded MOT tests. Superminis of a similar age fail 26.0% of the time, so this is 4.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and steering.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 20.7% of all tests — 3.1 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, position lamp and track rod end — coil spring alone was recorded 13,119 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 19.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 35.5% once past 150k.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.6pp more often than petrol ones (33.1% vs 30.5%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 29.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.7% | 26,409 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.6% | 22,492 |
| 3 | Steering | 7.9% | 10,046 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.4% | 9,426 |
| 5 | Brakes | 7.1% | 9,055 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.7% | 7,318 |
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 | 13,119 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 10,970 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 10,923 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 8,215 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 8,046 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 7,429 |
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 | 29.7% | 37,889 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.9% | 33,065 |
| 3 | Suspension | 19.4% | 24,733 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 17,892 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.3% | 16,986 |
| 6 | Steering | 8.0% | 10,211 |
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 | 4,773 | 19.8% |
| 30-60k | 24,673 | 26.7% |
| 60-90k | 46,960 | 31.1% |
| 90-120k | 34,988 | 33.6% |
| 120-150k | 12,334 | 34.1% |
| 150k+ | 3,682 | 35.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 104,294 | 30.5% |
| Diesel | 23,286 | 33.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 29,506 | 30.6% |
| 2022 | 27,948 | 30.3% |
| 2023 | 26,302 | 31.5% |
| 2024 | 23,206 | 30.7% |
| 2025 | 20,618 | 31.9% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Clio
On a 2009 Clio, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (20.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.6% 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 (7.9% 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 2009 Renault Clios pass their MOT?
69.0% of the 127,580 2009 Renault Clio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Renault Clio?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.7% of tests, followed by suspension (17.6%).
Does the 2009 Clio get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.8% in the 0-30k band to 35.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 127,580 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.