Renault Clio (1994)
1994 Renault Clio
CarHunch analysed 31,097 real MOT records for the 1994 Renault Clio. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
At 63.4%, the 1994 Renault Clio's first-time MOT pass rate sits well below the UK average of 80%, signalling that these nearly 30-year-old cars are prone to faults—and with 18.4% having suffered a dangerous defect at some point, you should budget for safety-critical repairs. Petrol and diesel variants perform almost identically (63.6% vs 62.9%), so fuel type won't sway your reliability outlook.
These Clios average 89,024 miles, which is actually reasonable for their age, yet they still rack up nearly two failures and four advisories per test, pointing to widespread wear in suspension, braking, and exhaust systems rather than catastrophic engine problems. If you're considering one, get a full pre-purchase inspection focusing on steering geometry, brake condition, and rust—don't rely on a passing MOT to guarantee safety.
What to check before buying a 1994 Renault Clio
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Renault Clio
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (78%) | 24,333 | 63.6% | 2.02 |
| Diesel (22%) | 6,758 | 62.9% | 1.69 |
| Electric (0%) | 5 | 70% | 2.4 |
| LPG (0%) | 1 | 87.5% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1994 Renault Clio vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1994 Renault Clio vehicles fall between 63,495 and 99,546 miles.
1994 Renault Clio — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 125 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (10% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1994 Renault Clio
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
25%
Oil leak
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19.3%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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18.1%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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17.7%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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17%
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits
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15.1%
Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
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14.9%
Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
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11.9%
Nearside Headlamp aim too low
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1994. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Renault Clio?
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