Renault Clio common problems & fixes (Mk4 2012–2019, Mk5 2019–on)
Written by the C4R team from DVSA data and owner reports. Fact-checked 2026-10-04.
The 30-second verdict
A used Clio can be great value, but the engine choice matters more than almost anything else. The 0.9 TCe three-cylinder is the safer petrol pick on a Mk4. The early 1.2 TCe 120 four-cylinder (roughly 2013–2016) has a reputation for burning oil and stretching its timing chain, so only buy one with evidence of regular oil changes and a clean bill of health. Expect small electrical gremlins on any Mk4.
Generations at a glance
| Generation | Years (UK) | Main engines | Gearboxes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mk4 | 2012–2019 | 0.9 TCe 90, 1.2 16v 75, 1.2 TCe 120, 1.5 dCi 90/110 | 5/6-speed manual, EDC dual-clutch | Facelift 2016 (1.2 TCe 120 updated) |
| Mk5 | 2019–on | 1.0 SCe/TCe, 1.3 TCe, 1.5 Blue dCi, E-Tech hybrid | Manual, CVT/EDC, hybrid multi-mode | Power-steering recall on early builds |
Older Mk3 (2005–2012) cars are cheap but now ageing; we cover them in the forum rather than this guide.
Known issues
1. Oil consumption — 1.2 TCe 120 (Mk4)
- Label: Manufacturer TSB/known issue, widely reported by owners
- What you notice: oil level warning between services, the dipstick dropping fast, blue smoke on start-up.
- Years/engines: 1.2 TCe 120 (H5Ft) mainly 2013–2016.
- Why: piston ring design lets oil past into the combustion chamber.
- Fix: if mild, shorter oil-change intervals and monitoring; if severe, new rings/pistons or a replacement engine. Cost: £1,200–£3,000+ for internal engine work (typical UK independent garage, 2026).
- DIY difficulty: 5/5.
- Check when buying: ask how often the owner tops up; look for blue smoke on a cold start.
2. Timing chain stretch — TCe petrol engines
- Label: Reported by owners
- What you notice: a rattle for a few seconds on a cold start, then quiet; later an engine light.
- Years/engines: 1.2 TCe 120 most often; the 0.9 TCe at higher mileage.
- Why: chain and tensioner wear, made worse by long oil-change intervals and low oil levels.
- Fix: timing chain kit. Cost: £600–£1,200 (typical UK independent garage, 2026).
- DIY difficulty: 4/5.
- Check when buying: insist on a genuine cold start — ask the seller not to run it before you arrive.
3. Ignition coil misfires — 0.9 TCe and 1.2 TCe
- Label: Reported by owners
- What you notice: rough running, flashing engine light, judder under load.
- Fix: replace the failed coil (and plugs if due). Cost: £80–£200 (typical UK independent garage, 2026).
- DIY difficulty: 2/5.
4. Thermostat housing coolant leak
- Label: Reported by owners
- What you notice: coolant level dropping, sweet smell, crusty deposits around the housing.
- Why: plastic housing and seal degrade with heat cycles.
- Fix: replace housing/thermostat. Cost: £150–£350 (typical UK independent garage, 2026).
- DIY difficulty: 3/5.
5. Electrical gremlins — Mk4
- Label: Reported by owners
- What you notice: keycard not detected, infotainment (R-Link/Media Nav) freezing, intermittent warning lights, electric windows.
- Fix: software updates, keycard battery, connectors; occasionally modules. Cost: £50–£400 depending on cause (typical UK independent garage, 2026).
- Check when buying: try every button, the screen, the keycard and both keys.
6. Front suspension wear — Mk4
- Label: Reported by owners
- What you notice: knocks over bumps, uneven tyre wear.
- Fix: drop links, bushes or top mounts. Cost: £100–£350 per job (typical UK independent garage, 2026).
7. Power-steering fault message — early Mk5
- Label: Confirmed recall (see below)
- What you notice: steering warning on the dash and heavier steering.
Recalls
UK recalls published by DVSA for the Clio include, among others:
| Ref | Concern (C4R summary) |
|---|---|
| R/2014/086 | Braking efficiency may be reduced |
| R/2015/053 | Possible fuel leak |
| R/2015/136 | Reduced braking performance |
| R/2016/010 | Wheel nuts may not have been tightened correctly at the factory (built April–November 2015) |
| R/2016/015 | Rear spoiler may detach |
| R/2016/281 | Rear stub-axle carrier bolts may not be tight (about 400 cars built February 2016) |
| R/2016/192 | Wipers may not work as intended |
| Clio V, Feb 2020 | Power-steering failure message and reduced assistance, cars built June–October 2019 |
Each recall only applies to certain build dates and VINs. Always check the exact car on the GOV.UK recall checker.
MOT watch-points
What the 2024 DVSA figures say
- First-time pass rate: 57.2% from 323,944 normal Class 4 and 7 Renault Clio tests.
- National comparison: 71.5% across the same 2024 dataset, so this model was 14.3 percentage points below the national first-time pass rate.
- Typical tested mileage: median 65,719 miles; mean 68,946 miles.
Most common recorded failure reasons
| DVSA failure reason | Tests | Share of this model's tests |
|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | 25,425 | 7.8% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 23,324 | 7.2% |
| Position lamp: not working | 17,107 | 5.3% |
| Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play | 15,485 | 4.8% |
| Stop lamp: not working | 11,138 | 3.4% |
One test can record more than one defect, so the shares must not be added together.
Common advisories to check before buying
- Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge — recorded on 20.0% of tests.
- Tyres - condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing — recorded on 12.5% of tests.
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened — recorded on 11.1% of tests.
Method and limits: C4R calculated these figures from DVSA's anonymised 2024 MOT results. Pass rate is P / (P + F + PRS) for normal Class 4 and 7 tests. Results are de-duplicated by test, low-volume rows are suppressed, and DVSA model labels are standardised into a model family. These figures describe tested cars as a group; they do not predict the condition of one vehicle or prove that every trim and generation performs the same way.
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results · Open Government Licence v3.0
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024.
Meanwhile, pre-MOT checks worth doing: front suspension joints and bushes, tyres, bulbs (including number-plate lights), brake discs and pads, and any engine warning light, which is an automatic fail.
Buying one? Our checklist
- Cold-start test — listen for chain rattle on TCe petrols.
- On a 1.2 TCe 120, check the dipstick and ask about top-ups.
- Service history with oil changes at least every 12 months or 10,000 miles.
- Test the keycard, screen, windows and climate control.
- On EDC automatics, check for smooth low-speed pull-aways.
- Listen for knocks from the front suspension.
- Look for coolant crust around the thermostat housing.
- Run the recall check.
Sources & further reading
- GOV.UK — Check if a vehicle has been recalled
- Auto Express — Used Renault Clio Mk4 problems and recalls
- Parkers — Used Renault Clio 2012–2019 review
- RAC — Renault Clio 2019–2023 used review
- WhoCanFixMyCar — Renault Clio common problems
- Vehicle Recall UK — Renault Clio recall list
- Wikipedia — Renault Clio
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Costs are estimates for a typical UK independent garage in 2026; always get a quote.