Renault Clio (2012)
2012 Renault Clio
CarHunch analysed 17,281 real MOT records for the 2012 Renault Clio. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2012 Renault Clio's 72.4% first-time pass rate trails the UK average of 80%, signalling below-average reliability for its age—a genuine concern before purchase. More worrying, half of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is substantially higher than typical and suggests systemic issues worth investigating.
At a median 50,208 miles for a twelve-year-old car, mileage is reasonable, but the average 4.21 failures and 17.9 advisories per vehicle indicate these Clios develop problems steadily once past the initial years. Before buying one, have a pre-purchase inspection done by a Renault-familiar mechanic and specifically ask them to check the history for dangerous defects—this model demands more scrutiny than most.
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 2012 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.
- ⚠️ 50% 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 (79%) | 13,631 | 72.7% | 4.17 |
| Diesel (21%) | 3,645 | 71.1% | 4.37 |
| Other (0%) | 4 | 92.7% | 0.5 |
| LPG (0%) | 1 | 83.3% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2012 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 2012 Renault Clio vehicles fall between 37,481 and 63,242 miles.
2012 Renault Clio — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 13,348 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 81% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2012 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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52.7%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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51.4%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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42.6%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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35.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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34.4%
Nearside Front Coil spring fractured or broken
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33.5%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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33.2%
Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken
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31.9%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2012. 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.