2021 Renault Clio Iconic Blue — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 586 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Renault Clio Iconic Blue, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, visibility and brakes. Its pass rate of 85.8% was below the average for cars of a similar age (91.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 16.0% in the 60-90k group versus 8.5% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.2% | 42 |
| 2 | Visibility | 5.3% | 31 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.6% | 21 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 12 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.7% | 10 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.4% | 8 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 27 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 14 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 13 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 12 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 8 |
| 6 | Washers | 6 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 24.4% | 143 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.3% | 66 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.8% | 40 |
| 4 | Other defects | 3.8% | 22 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.7% | 16 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 1.5% | 9 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 129 | 8.5% |
| 30-60k | 355 | 15.2% |
| 60-90k | 75 | 16.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 51 | 9.8% |
| 2024 | 275 | 15.6% |
| 2025 | 260 | 13.5% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Clio Iconic Blue
Before buying a 2021 Renault Clio Iconic Blue, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 7.2% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (7.2% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (5.3% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Brakes (3.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2021 Renault Clio Iconic Blues pass their MOT?
85.8% of the 586 2021 Renault Clio Iconic Blue MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Renault Clio Iconic Blue?
Tyres, recorded in 7.2% of tests, followed by visibility (5.3%).
Does the 2021 Clio Iconic Blue get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.5% in the 0-30k band to 16.0% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 586 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.