Renault Clio (2005)
2005 Renault Clio
CarHunch analysed 54,325 real MOT records for the 2005 Renault Clio. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2005 Renault Clio passes its MOT first time only 68.1% of the time—significantly below the UK average of 80%—and that gap widens when you look at safety: 44% of these cars have had a dangerous defect recorded, which is a serious buyer concern that suggests structural or brake failures are common in this ageing cohort. Petrol and diesel variants perform similarly (68.3% and 66.5% pass rates respectively), so fuel choice won't help you avoid trouble here.
At nearly 64,000 miles on average, these 19-year-old Clios are well-used but not exceptional for their age, yet they're still racking up an average of 5.71 failures and 22.2 advisories per test—pointing to chronic wear in suspension, emissions, and electrical systems rather than catastrophic faults. Before buying, budget for serious mechanicals and run a detailed pre-purchase inspection focusing on brakes, steering, and rust, because passing MOTs clearly isn't automatic for this generation.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 1.8 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2005 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.
- ⚠️ 44% 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.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (89%) | 48,586 | 68.3% | 5.7 |
| Diesel (11%) | 5,721 | 66.5% | 5.75 |
| Other (0%) | 14 | 67% | 1.21 |
| LPG (0%) | 3 | 67.1% | 3 |
| Gas (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2005 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 2005 Renault Clio vehicles fall between 46,605 and 73,768 miles.
2005 Renault Clio — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 6,980 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (14% 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 — 2005 Renault Clio
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
79.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
74.3%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
73.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
64.7%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
45.5%
Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
-
45.4%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
-
35.9%
Registration plate lamp not working
-
34.5%
Oil leak, but not excessive
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2005. 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.