Renault Clio (1998)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 852 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,160

£180/month

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 5-15

1149cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

68% pass rate, £2,160/year to run. 14 points below average.

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Petrol1149cc28 years old852 tests69k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1149cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£230

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,160

Per month£180/mo

Per week£42/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

68% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Renault brand average of 80%.

68% of MOT tests on Renault Clios from 1998 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 26 years old. That's based on 852 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 69,470 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 models274th of 325(bottom 16%)

Rank among Renault models533rd of 615(bottom 14%)

vs average of all models-14%(82% avg)

vs 1998 models average-7%(75% avg)

vs Renault average-12%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

69,470

Average miles

192,400

Expected for age

The average 1998 Renault Clio had 69,470 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 192,400 miles for a 26-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?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 91%, while the 1997 model has the lowest at 65%. The 1998 scores 68%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,328/year

73%

+5%

Vauxhall Corsa

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,810/year

89%

+21%

Nissan Micra

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

+2%

Toyota Yaris

2000 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

+2%

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About the 1998 Renault Clio

The 1998 Renault Clio is a city car. Our records list a 1149cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 852 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 16% of 1998 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 69,470 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, 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.

1998 Renault Clio Fuel Costs

The modest 1149cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1998 Renault Clio?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,160 (£180/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 68% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Renault Clio Reliability Trend

Newer Renault Clios pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 6 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 1998 Renault Clio

At 28 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

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 68% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 1998 Renault Clio stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Renault Clio(1998)	68%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£2,160
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328+£168
Vauxhall Corsa(1999)	89%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£1,810-£350
Nissan Micra(1999)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183+£23
Toyota Yaris(2000)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183+£23

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1998 Renault Clio

Is the 1998 Renault Clio reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 68% of MOT tests on 1998 Renault Clios ended in a pass, from 852 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 14 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1998 Renault Clio cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,160 a year (£180 a month): £1,175 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 Renault Clio?

68% of 852 MOT tests on the 1998 Renault Clio ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 274th of 325 models first registered in 1998 (bottom 16%).

Which year Renault Clio has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 Renault Clio has the highest MOT pass rate at 91% and the 1997 the lowest at 65%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1998 Renault Clio?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1998 Renault Clio is 69,470 miles, which is significantly below the expected 192,400 miles for a 26-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.