2009 Renault Clio MOT pass rate: 56.2% (49,545 tests)
Is the 2009 Clio getting worse?
Pass rate of 2009-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 55.8% -11.0 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 57.4% -8.8 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 55.3% -10.8 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2009 Clio
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 20,000 | 28.8% |
| 2 | Suspension | 17,490 | 25.2% |
| 3 | Brakes | 8,098 | 11.7% |
| 4 | Steering | 6,664 | 9.6% |
| 5 | Visibility | 5,277 | 7.6% |
| 6 | Tyres | 5,051 | 7.3% |
All Clio years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 5,864 | 60.7% | -5.8 pts | 77,163 |
| 2002 | 10,028 | 60.6% | -5.0 pts | 82,441 |
| 2003 | 15,162 | 57.5% | -7.5 pts | 83,436 |
| 2004 | 22,641 | 56.5% | -7.8 pts | 87,304 |
| 2005 | 27,540 | 55.9% | -8.5 pts | 87,445 |
| 2006 | 45,027 | 55.4% | -9.0 pts | 90,069 |
| 2007 | 59,345 | 55.3% | -9.8 pts | 89,922 |
| 2008 | 47,908 | 55.8% | -9.3 pts | 90,108 |
| 2009 (this page) | 49,545 | 56.2% | -10.2 pts | 84,991 |
| 2010 | 70,076 | 56.3% | -11.0 pts | 83,044 |
| 2011 | 52,146 | 55.5% | -13.7 pts | 77,816 |
| 2012 | 43,689 | 55.9% | -15.3 pts | 73,999 |
| 2013 | 59,921 | 60.8% | -12.5 pts | 73,994 |
| 2014 | 77,961 | 59.8% | -16.0 pts | 68,588 |
| 2015 | 72,021 | 62.9% | -15.8 pts | 60,832 |
| 2016 | 66,342 | 65.4% | -16.0 pts | 52,220 |
| 2017 | 57,261 | 72.2% | -11.9 pts | 45,226 |
| 2018 | 58,367 | 78.2% | -8.2 pts | 38,158 |
| 2019 | 44,618 | 81.1% | -7.3 pts | 32,362 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Renault Clio years to avoid.
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FAQs
Is a 2009 Renault Clio reliable?
2009-registered examples passed 56.2% of their MOT tests (49,545 tests, 2023–2025), -10.2 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 17 years old with a median 84,991 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2009 Clio?
The median tested example shows 84,991 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2009 Clio?
In this cohort petrols pass 57.2% of tests against 51.4% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.