2003 Renault Clio — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 47,550 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Renault Clio, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility. Its pass rate of 67.8% was below the average for superminis of a similar age (70.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 34.2% in the 150k+ group versus 21.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.2% | 10,543 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.1% | 7,648 |
| 3 | Visibility | 8.9% | 4,222 |
| 4 | Steering | 8.4% | 3,998 |
| 5 | Brakes | 8.2% | 3,887 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 3,329 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 5,360 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 4,298 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 3,100 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 2,857 |
| 5 | Washers | 2,756 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 2,466 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 34.6% | 16,452 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.0% | 13,806 |
| 3 | Brakes | 27.3% | 12,994 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.9% | 9,936 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 20.2% | 9,600 |
| 6 | Other defects | 17.2% | 8,163 |
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 | 1,561 | 21.4% |
| 30-60k | 9,681 | 28.5% |
| 60-90k | 15,346 | 32.5% |
| 90-120k | 13,438 | 34.7% |
| 120-150k | 5,559 | 33.6% |
| 150k+ | 1,802 | 34.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 43,570 | 32.1% |
| Diesel | 3,980 | 32.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,108 | 33.3% |
| 2022 | 11,524 | 32.3% |
| 2023 | 8,976 | 31.6% |
| 2024 | 6,749 | 31.5% |
| 2025 | 5,193 | 30.2% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Clio
Before buying a 2003 Renault Clio, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 22.2% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (22.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Visibility (8.9% 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.
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 2003 Renault Clios pass their MOT?
67.8% of the 47,550 2003 Renault Clio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Renault Clio?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.2% of tests, followed by suspension (16.1%).
Does the 2003 Clio get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.4% in the 0-30k band to 34.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 47,550 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.