2005 Renault Clio petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Renault Clio petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Renault Clio petrol than on all cars registered in 2005.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes6.1× usual
  Renault Clio

  10.3% All 2005 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.4% of all 2005 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.

• Headlights1.6× usual
  Renault Clio

  21.5% All 2005 cars

  13.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.5%, against 5% of all 2005 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.

• Steering rack6.2× usual
  Renault Clio

  9.3% All 2005 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 0.9% of all 2005 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.

• Track rod ends2.1× usual
  Renault Clio

  12.1% All 2005 cars

  5.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.9%, against 2.7% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

• Airbag warning light3.2× usual
  Renault Clio

  5.5% All 2005 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 1.5% of all 2005 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 2005 Renault Clio petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 Renault Clio petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Lights and electrics
  50% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  50% 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.

• Brakes
  35% 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
  34% 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.

• 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  15% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

Known faults on the 2005 Renault Clio petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Valve recall (early 1.2)

  1.2 petrol

  Early 1.2 petrols were recalled for valve parts that could destroy the engine.

  At the viewing: Ask a Renault dealer to check the VIN.

  Source: Haynes: Renault Clio Mk3 common problems

• Surging idle and stalling

  Petrol

  A dirty throttle body makes the idle rise and fall, with stalling and slow starting. It's a cheap fix.

  At the viewing: Let it idle and watch the rev counter.

  Source: Haynes: Renault Clio Mk3 common problems

• Squeal from the alternator

  All engines

  A chirp on start-up is often a worn alternator pulley or a failing alternator.

  At the viewing: Listen when the engine starts.

  If it needs doing: Alternator, about £150–£400. ClickMechanic

  Source: Haynes: Renault Clio Mk3 common problems

• Heavy steering and front knocks

  All engines

  Worn front strut top bushes make the steering heavy and knock over bumps.

  At the viewing: Feel the steering and listen over bumps.

  Source: Haynes: Renault Clio Mk3 common problems

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 Renault Clio petrol

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

1. Was the valve recall done?
2. Has the throttle body been cleaned?
3. Has the alternator been replaced?
4. Has the front suspension had any work?
5. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 6.1× as often on the 2005 Renault Clio petrol as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2005 Renault Clio petrol as on other cars the same age.)