2001 Renault Clio petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2001 Renault Clio petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2001 Renault Clio petrol than on all cars registered in 2001.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes4× usual
  Renault Clio

  11.7% All 2001 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.6% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints1.9× usual
  Renault Clio

  12.2% All 2001 cars

  6.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 2.8% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Steering rack3.8× usual
  Renault Clio

  7.3% All 2001 cars

  1.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 1.1% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Headlights1.6× usual
  Renault Clio

  14.6% All 2001 cars

  9.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 3.7% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Airbag warning light3.8× usual
  Renault Clio

  4.9% All 2001 cars

  1.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 1.1% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2001 Renault Clio petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2001 Renault Clio petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  45% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  44% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Brakes
  33% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Tyres
  32% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  19% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  16% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2001 Renault Clio petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the 2001 Renault Clio petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2001 Renault Clio petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the steering rack? (Flagged at MOT 3.8× as often on the 2001 Renault Clio petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?