Renault Clio (2016)

22,642 real MOT outcomes analysed • 78.7% first-time pass rate

2016 Renault Clio

CarHunch analysed 22,642 real MOT records for the 2016 Renault Clio. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2016 Renault Clio sits just below the UK average with a 78.7% first-time MOT pass rate, and this is a genuine concern: 38.7% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above acceptable levels. Petrol versions fare slightly better at 79.5% passes compared to diesel at 77.2%, so fuel choice does matter for reliability here.

At a median mileage of 37,815 miles for an eight-year-old car, these Clios are running light, yet they still average 2.1 failures and 10.1 advisories per test—suggesting component wear is catching up faster than mileage alone would predict. Before buying, insist on a full service history and have a pre-purchase inspection focus on suspension and brake components, which typically drive the failure counts on this model.

Below average reliability In line with UK average
78.7%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
37,815
typical mileage
28,093–48,748 middle half
38.7%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
2.1
avg MOT failures per car
over 9 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2016 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.
  • ⚠️ 38.7% 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 (68%) 15,423 79.5% 2.01
Diesel (32%) 7,212 77.2% 2.27
Other (0%) 3 83.3% 0.33
Other (0%) 2 100% 0
Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) 1 50% 3
Diesel (0%) 1 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 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.

28,093
low mileage
37,815
typical
48,748
high mileage

Half of all 2016 Renault Clio vehicles fall between 28,093 and 48,748 miles.

2016 Renault Clio — Still on the Road

Strong survival — 21,359 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 98% of the peak.

21,725 21,359 2019 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.

MOT History Averages

9
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
2.1
Avg failures per vehicle
10.1
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2016 Renault Clio

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 43.5%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 42.9%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 35.2%
    Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
  • 34.1%
    Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
  • 31.5%
    Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
  • 25.8%
    Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
  • 22.8%
    Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
  • 15.8%
    Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016. 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.

UK

Other model years — Renault Clio:

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2017 2018 2019