Part of the Renault Clio Mk4 (2013–2019) guide: best and worst years compared.

Used car guide

2016 Renault Clio diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Renault Clio first registered in 2016 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 21,073 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

21,073MOTs of 2016 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
58%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 77%)
8,000typical miles a year
6.5×the usual rate for ball joint

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Renault Clio diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Renault Clio diesel than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Ball joint6.5× usual
    Renault Clio
    14.9% All 2016 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.6%, against 1.2% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Rigid brake pipes8.2× usual
    Renault Clio
    12.3% All 2016 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.2% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Coil springs4× usual
    Renault Clio
    12.7% All 2016 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.5%, against 2.1% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Braking performance3.8× usual
    Renault Clio
    8.7% All 2016 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 0.8% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints5.2× usual
    Renault Clio
    7.8% All 2016 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 0.9% of all 2016 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.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 1.9% here, against 4.9% of all 2016 cars.

Common 2016 Renault Clio diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Renault Clio diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    38% 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.

  • Brakes
    34% 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.

  • Suspension
    30% 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
    21% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    8% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Known faults on the 2016 Renault Clio diesel

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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 Renault Clio diesel

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

  1. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 6.5× as often on the 2016 Renault Clio diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 8.2× as often on the 2016 Renault Clio diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the 2016 Renault Clio diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Renault Clio?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Renault Clio compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023552Tyres 21%
20228,306Tyres 27%
202118,675Tyres 27%
202032,406Tyres 28%
201950,835Tyres 36%
201858,620Tyres 37%
201757,490Tyres 35%
201572,358Brakes 39%
201478,406Brakes 43%
201360,231Brakes 41%
201243,981Suspension 48%
201152,540Suspension 48%
201070,571Suspension 48%
200949,852Suspension 49%
200848,252Suspension 52%
200759,758Suspension 52%
200645,356Suspension 51%
200527,751Lights and electrics 50%
200422,820Suspension 51%
200315,292Suspension 52%
200210,109Suspension 47%
20015,912Suspension 45%
20003,128Suspension 46%
19991,548Suspension 47%
1998678Suspension 45%
1997375Suspension 42%
1996483Suspension 38%
1995548Brakes 29%
1994427Suspension 22%
1993176Brakes 27%
1992–Too few tests
1991–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Renault Clio cars first registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score