Used car guide

2017 Renault Clio: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2017 Renault Clios, from 19,257 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

19,257MOT tests in 2025
63%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%)
6,500typical miles a year
9.9×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2017 Renault Clios than on all cars registered in 2017.

  • Rigid brake pipes9.9× usual
    Renault Clio
    12.9% All 2017 cars
    1.3%
    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.

  • Coil springs4.4× usual
    Renault Clio
    12.8% All 2017 cars
    2.9%
    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.

  • Ball joint6.2× usual
    Renault Clio
    11.7% All 2017 cars
    1.9%
    Rough price £80–£200

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

  • Tyre condition1.6× usual
    Renault Clio
    21.6% All 2017 cars
    13.4%
    Rough price £70–£150

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

  • Braking performance3.7× usual
    Renault Clio
    6.6% All 2017 cars
    1.8%
    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: 1.1% here, against 4.8% of all 2017 cars.

By area

The share of 2017 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
    32% 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
    26% 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
    14% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    5% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

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%
201622,288Tyres 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 2017 Renault Clios registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score