Used car guide

2016 Renault Clio: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Renault Clios, from 22,288 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

22,288MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
6,500typical miles a year
8.1×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Renault Clios than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Rigid brake pipes8.1× usual
    Renault Clio
    15.3% All 2016 cars
    1.9%
    Rough price £100–£400

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Ball joint4.9× usual
    Renault Clio
    13.8% All 2016 cars
    2.8%
    Rough price £80–£200

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

  • Coil springs3.6× usual
    Renault Clio
    14.7% All 2016 cars
    4.1%
    Rough price £120–£300

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints5.6× usual
    Renault Clio
    10.6% All 2016 cars
    1.9%
    Rough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Braking performance3.6× usual
    Renault Clio
    9.1% All 2016 cars
    2.5%
    Rough price £100–£350

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 2% here, against 6.1% of all 2016 cars.

By area

The share of 2016 Renault Clio MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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
    36% 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.

  • Suspension
    31% 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
    21% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    11% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
201915,217Tyres 41%
201819,741Tyres 38%
201719,257Tyres 37%
201523,952Brakes 42%
201425,884Brakes 45%
201319,698Brakes 43%
201213,941Suspension 50%
201116,313Suspension 51%
201021,341Suspension 51%
200914,741Suspension 51%
200813,522Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 Renault Clios registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score