How much does a 1996 RENAULT CLIO cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,197 (£183/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1996 RENAULT CLIO?

The 1996 RENAULT CLIO has a 75% MOT pass rate based on 553 tests in 2026. This ranks 132 out of 252 cars from 1996.

Which year RENAULT CLIO is most reliable?

The 2020 RENAULT CLIO has the highest MOT pass rate at 91%. The least reliable year is 1997 at 65%.

RENAULT CLIO (1996)

Q: Is the 1996 RENAULT CLIO reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 75% of RENAULT CLIOs from 1996 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 553 tests. That's 7 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1996 RENAULT CLIO?

The average mileage for a 1996 RENAULT CLIO is 74,001 miles, which is significantly below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 553 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,197

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

75%

Average

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1783cc Petrol

Check Carefully

75% pass rate, £2197/year to run. 7 points below average.

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Petrol1783cc30 years old553 tests74k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1783cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1783cc

£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

75% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 7 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the RENAULT brand average of 80%.

At 30 years old, 75% of RENAULT CLIOs from 1996 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 553 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 74,001 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1996 cars132th of 252(top 52%)

Rank among RENAULT models383th of 636(top 60%)

vs national average-7%(82% avg)

vs 1996 cars average+0%(75% avg)

vs RENAULT average-5%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

74,001

Average miles

222,000

Expected for age

The average 1996 RENAULT CLIO has 74,001 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-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 1996 sits between the two at 75%.

RENAULT CLIO by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	89%	100	21,382 mi
2020	91%	179	29,866 mi
2019	85%	26,860	36,462 mi
2018	83%	36,136	42,612 mi
2017	79%	36,292	49,966 mi
2016	75%	43,205	57,120 mi
2015	74%	47,768	65,492 mi
2014	72%	53,587	73,080 mi
2013	73%	40,822	78,551 mi
2012	69%	29,268	78,354 mi
2011	69%	35,754	82,376 mi
2010	69%	47,483	87,399 mi
2009	69%	33,352	88,686 mi
2008	68%	32,831	93,332 mi
2007	68%	41,223	93,129 mi
2006	68%	31,061	93,067 mi
2005	67%	18,423	90,500 mi
2004	68%	15,179	90,784 mi
2003	68%	10,050	87,632 mi
2002	70%	6,573	86,792 mi
2001	69%	3,829	83,579 mi
2000	67%	1,978	82,306 mi
1999	65%	1,795	73,213 mi
1998	68%	852	69,470 mi
1997	65%	456	64,661 mi
1996	75%	553	74,001 mi
1995	76%	553	80,682 mi
1994	78%	432	83,137 mi
1993	75%	167	69,528 mi
1992	69%	97	87,795 mi
1991	87%	30	75,002 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MAZDA MX-5

1998 · 1597cc Petrol

£1,827/year

75%

same

BMW 3 SERIES

1998 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,017/year

79%

+4%

BMW Z3

1997 · 1900cc Petrol

£2,017/year

75%

same

NISSAN MICRA

1998 · 1298cc Petrol

£1,922/year

69%

-6%

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About the 1996 RENAULT CLIO

The 1996 RENAULT CLIO is a family car with a 1783cc petrol engine. 553 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 1996, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 74,001 miles at 30 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.

1996 RENAULT CLIO Fuel Costs

The 1783cc 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 1996 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 75% 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 1996 RENAULT CLIO

At 30 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 1996 RENAULT CLIO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 30 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.

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 1996 RENAULT CLIO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
RENAULT CLIO(1996)	75%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2197
MAZDA MX-5(1998)	75%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£370
BMW 3 SERIES(1998)	79%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£180
BMW Z3(1997)	75%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£180
NISSAN MICRA(1998)	69%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1922-£275

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.