2010 Renault Clio — MOT failures & pass rate
176,621 MOT tests on the 2010 Renault Clio are in this dataset, and 69.2% of them passed. That is 5.8 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 25.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and steering.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 21.3% of all tests — 3.6 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 19,236 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 34.1% versus 19.4%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.5pp more often than petrol ones (32.7% vs 30.3%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 29.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 30.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 31.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.3% | 37,595 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.6% | 31,165 |
| 3 | Steering | 7.9% | 13,964 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.0% | 12,287 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.7% | 11,746 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.6% | 9,892 |
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 | 19,236 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 16,283 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 15,218 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 11,385 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 10,957 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 10,452 |
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 | 29.1% | 51,463 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.3% | 42,907 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.6% | 32,888 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 24,695 |
| 5 | Other defects | 12.6% | 22,294 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.8% | 13,768 |
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 | 6,119 | 19.4% |
| 30-60k | 37,105 | 26.7% |
| 60-90k | 67,703 | 31.4% |
| 90-120k | 46,041 | 33.3% |
| 120-150k | 15,080 | 34.1% |
| 150k+ | 4,277 | 34.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 138,229 | 30.3% |
| Diesel | 38,392 | 32.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 39,247 | 30.1% |
| 2022 | 38,080 | 30.4% |
| 2023 | 36,179 | 31.0% |
| 2024 | 33,253 | 31.1% |
| 2025 | 29,862 | 31.6% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Clio
On a 2010 Clio, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (21.3% 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 2010 Renault Clios pass their MOT?
69.2% of the 176,621 2010 Renault Clio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Renault Clio?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.3% of tests, followed by suspension (17.6%).
Does the 2010 Clio get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.4% in the 0-30k band to 34.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 176,621 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.