Used car guide

1998 Renault Clio: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1998 Renault Clios, from 168 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 168 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

168MOT tests in 2025
53%pass first time (all 1998 cars: 66%)
2,200typical miles a year
3.2×the usual rate for number plates

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1998 Renault Clios than on all cars registered in 1998.

  • Number plates3.2× usual
    Renault Clio
    18.5% All 1998 cars
    5.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.6% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Tyre condition2× usual
    Renault Clio
    23.2% All 1998 cars
    11.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 2.5% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

  • Exhaust system2.3× usual
    Renault Clio
    19.6% All 1998 cars
    8.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 2.3% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

By area

The share of 1998 Renault Clio MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    43% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    37% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    37% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    35% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    23% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    16% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Renault Clio?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023547Tyres 21%
20227,902Tyres 28%
20219,212Tyres 29%
202010,817Tyres 32%
201917,257Tyres 40%
201819,747Tyres 38%
201719,259Tyres 37%
201622,290Tyres 37%
201523,953Brakes 42%
201425,890Brakes 45%
201319,702Brakes 43%
201213,942Suspension 50%
201116,314Suspension 51%
201021,343Suspension 51%
200914,741Suspension 51%
200813,524Suspension 53%
200716,133Suspension 53%
200611,743Suspension 51%
20057,277Suspension 51%
20045,932Suspension 51%
20033,850Suspension 51%
20022,541Suspension 48%
20011,506Suspension 46%
2000764Suspension 46%
1999367Suspension 45%
1996146Suspension 39%
1995166Suspension 30%
1994136Suspension 24%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1998 Renault Clios registered in 1998. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score