2014 Renault Clio — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 180,015 MOT tests analysed for the 2014 Renault Clio, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 72.6% was below the average for superminis of a similar age (80.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.1% in the 150k+ group versus 16.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.8% | 26,648 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.5% | 18,927 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 9.1% | 16,316 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.8% | 12,272 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.3% | 9,496 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.8% | 8,568 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 15,365 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 13,734 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 9,359 |
| 4 | Joints | 8,751 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 8,696 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 6,566 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 31.8% | 57,320 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.3% | 54,555 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.3% | 22,166 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.9% | 14,301 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.6% | 8,296 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.8% | 6,781 |
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 | 11,140 | 16.7% |
| 30-60k | 69,539 | 24.6% |
| 60-90k | 68,132 | 29.8% |
| 90-120k | 24,138 | 32.0% |
| 120-150k | 5,426 | 33.0% |
| 150k+ | 1,449 | 31.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 112,617 | 27.0% |
| Diesel | 67,395 | 28.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 35,147 | 23.7% |
| 2022 | 35,890 | 25.9% |
| 2023 | 36,661 | 28.3% |
| 2024 | 36,285 | 29.0% |
| 2025 | 36,032 | 30.2% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Clio
Before buying a 2014 Renault Clio, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 14.8% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (14.8% 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.
- Brakes (10.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (9.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 2014 Renault Clios pass their MOT?
72.6% of the 180,015 2014 Renault Clio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Renault Clio?
Suspension, recorded in 14.8% of tests, followed by brakes (10.5%).
Does the 2014 Clio get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.7% in the 0-30k band to 31.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 180,015 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.