Renault Clio (1999)
1999 Renault Clio
CarHunch analysed 57,975 real MOT records for the 1999 Renault Clio. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1999 Renault Clio is a significantly weaker performer than the UK average, with a first-time pass rate of just 64% against the typical 80%—and a concerning 27.6% of these vehicles have recorded dangerous defects at some point, which is well above acceptable thresholds for a buyer to ignore. Petrol and diesel variants perform almost identically (64.0% and 62.4% respectively), so fuel type offers no reliability advantage here.
At 72,540 miles median, these cars show average mileage for their age, yet they're still racking up 4.31 failures per test and 12.5 advisories, pointing to systemic wear issues rather than exceptional use. If you're considering one, budget for multiple repairs before MOT and run a pre-purchase inspection focusing on brake systems, suspension, and exhaust—the usual culprits at this age—rather than assuming a low-mileage example will be trouble-free.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 1.6 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 1999 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.
- ⚠️ 27.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (98%) | 57,103 | 64% | 4.32 |
| Diesel (1%) | 864 | 62.4% | 3.75 |
| LPG (0%) | 5 | 68.8% | 4.2 |
| Other (0%) | 3 | 77.8% | 1.33 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1999 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 1999 Renault Clio vehicles fall between 56,950 and 88,874 miles.
1999 Renault Clio — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 1,205 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2021 (7% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2021.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1999 Renault Clio
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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57.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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53.6%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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50.1%
Oil leak
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41.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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37.2%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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35.1%
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits
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31%
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid
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29.9%
Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1999. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Renault Clio?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.