2021 Renault Clio hybrid: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2021 Renault Clio hybrid?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2021 Renault Clio hybrid than on all cars registered in 2021.

• Wheels4.3× usual
  Renault Clio

  2.6% All 2021 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.2% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

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

• Braking performance3× usual
  Renault Clio

  2.1% All 2021 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.2% of all 2021 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.

Common 2021 Renault Clio hybrid MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2021 Renault Clio hybrid MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  30% 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
  6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Lights and electrics
  5% 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
  5% 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.

• Seats and seatbelts
  2% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

• Suspension
  2% 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.

Known faults on the 2021 Renault Clio hybrid

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.

• Electrical faults on hybrids

  E-Tech hybrid

  The E-Tech hybrid has drawn criticism for electrical problems that often needed dealer attention. The 1.0 TCe petrol has no known reliability concerns.

  At the viewing: Check for warning lights and test the electrics.

  Source: What Car?: used Renault Clio (2019 on) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 Renault Clio hybrid

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

1. Has it had any hybrid or electrical faults fixed?
2. Any recent work on the wheels? (Flagged at MOT 4.3× as often on the 2021 Renault Clio hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2021 Renault Clio hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?