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RENAULT CLIO (1991)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 30 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,737

£145/month

MOT Pass Rate

87%

Good

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1390cc Petrol

Solid Option

87% pass rate, £1737/year to run. 5 points above average.

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Petrol1390cc35 years old30 tests75k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1390cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1390cc

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,737
Per month£145/mo
Per week£33/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

87% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the RENAULT brand average of 80%.

At 35 years old, 87% of RENAULT CLIOs from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 30 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 75,002 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1991 cars50th of 179(top 28%)
Rank among RENAULT models224th of 636(top 35%)
vs national average+5%(82% avg)
vs 1991 cars average+9%(78% avg)
vs RENAULT average+7%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

75,002

Average miles

vs

259,000

Expected for age

The average 1991 RENAULT CLIO has 75,002 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 91% MOT pass rate, while the 1997 model has the lowest at 65%. The 1991 sits between the two at 87%.

RENAULT CLIO by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202189%10021,382 mi
202091%17929,866 mi
201985%26,86036,462 mi
201883%36,13642,612 mi
201779%36,29249,966 mi
201675%43,20557,120 mi
201574%47,76865,492 mi
201472%53,58773,080 mi
201373%40,82278,551 mi
201269%29,26878,354 mi
201169%35,75482,376 mi
201069%47,48387,399 mi
200969%33,35288,686 mi
200868%32,83193,332 mi
200768%41,22393,129 mi
200668%31,06193,067 mi
200567%18,42390,500 mi
200468%15,17990,784 mi
200368%10,05087,632 mi
200270%6,57386,792 mi
200169%3,82983,579 mi
200067%1,97882,306 mi
199965%1,79573,213 mi
199868%85269,470 mi
199765%45664,661 mi
199675%55374,001 mi
199576%55380,682 mi
199478%43283,137 mi
199375%16769,528 mi
199269%9787,795 mi
199187%3075,002 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 1991 RENAULT CLIO

The 1991 RENAULT CLIO is a small family car with a 1390cc petrol engine. 30 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1991, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 75,002 miles at 35 years old, RENAULT CLIO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1991 RENAULT CLIO Fuel Costs

The 1390cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1991 RENAULT CLIO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,737 145/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 87% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

RENAULT CLIO Reliability Trend

Newer RENAULT CLIOs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 6 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1991 RENAULT CLIO

At 35 years old, the RENAULT CLIO is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 91%. Note: with only 30 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1991 RENAULT CLIO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1991 RENAULT CLIO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
RENAULT CLIO(1991)87%£1137£195Grp 8-20£1737
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1991)80%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867+£130
ROVER MINI(1990)80%£955£30Grp 1-8£1390-£347
FORD ESCORT(1990)85%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1677-£60
PEUGEOT 205(1990)80%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1572-£165

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Renault Models

Explore other Renault cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

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