CarCostCheck

RENAULT CLIO (1994)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 432 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,197

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

78%

Average

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Check Carefully

78% pass rate, £2197/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1998cc32 years old432 tests83k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1998cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£2,197
Per month£183/mo
Per week£42/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

78% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 32 years old, 78% of RENAULT CLIOs from 1994 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 432 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 83,137 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1994 cars89th of 212(top 42%)
Rank among RENAULT models351th of 636(top 55%)
vs national average-4%(82% avg)
vs 1994 cars average+2%(76% avg)
vs RENAULT average-2%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

83,137

Average miles

vs

236,800

Expected for age

The average 1994 RENAULT CLIO has 83,137 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 236,800 miles for a 32-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 1994 sits between the two at 78%.

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 1994 RENAULT CLIO

The 1994 RENAULT CLIO is a family car with a 1998cc petrol engine. 432 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 1994, the average MOT pass rate is 76%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 83,137 miles at 32 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.

1994 RENAULT CLIO Fuel Costs

The 1998cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1994 RENAULT CLIO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,197 183/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 78% 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 1994 RENAULT CLIO

At 32 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%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1994 RENAULT CLIO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 32 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

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.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 83k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

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 1994 RENAULT CLIO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
RENAULT CLIO(1994)78%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2197
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1996)67%£1592£250Grp 25-38£2597+£400
MAZDA MX-5(1996)76%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017-£180
BMW 3 SERIES(1996)82%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£330
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1996)74%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017-£180

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.

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

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