Used car guide

2008 Renault Clio: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Renault Clios, from 13,522 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

13,522MOT tests in 2025
47%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
5,400typical miles a year
3.4×the usual rate for track rod end

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Renault Clios than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Track rod end3.4× usual
    Renault Clio
    18.5% All 2008 cars
    5.5%
    Rough price £80–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Ball joint2.3× usual
    Renault Clio
    14.9% All 2008 cars
    6.5%
    Rough price £80–£200

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Number plate lights1.7× usual
    Renault Clio
    15.2% All 2008 cars
    8.9%
    Rough price £5–£40

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

  • Position lamp1.7× usual
    Renault Clio
    12.9% All 2008 cars
    7.4%
    Rough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Individual direction indicators2.4× usual
    Renault Clio
    7.3% All 2008 cars
    3.1%
    Rough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 2.8% here, against 11.3% of all 2008 cars. Sub-frame: 3% here, against 7.8% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Renault Clio MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    53% 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
    47% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    37% 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.

  • Brakes
    34% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    19% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    16% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Renault Clio?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
201915,217Tyres 41%
201819,741Tyres 38%
201719,257Tyres 37%
201622,288Tyres 37%
201523,952Brakes 42%
201425,884Brakes 45%
201319,698Brakes 43%
201213,941Suspension 50%
201116,313Suspension 51%
201021,341Suspension 51%
200914,741Suspension 51%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Renault Clios registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score