How much does a 2003 RENAULT CLIO cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,397 (£200/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 RENAULT CLIO?

The 2003 RENAULT CLIO has a 68% MOT pass rate based on 10,050 tests in 2026. This ranks 331 out of 445 cars from 2003.

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 (2003)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2003 RENAULT CLIO?

The average mileage for a 2003 RENAULT CLIO is 87,632 miles, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 10,050 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,397

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

68% pass rate, £2397/year to run. 14 points below average.

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Petrol1998cc23 years old10,050 tests88k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1998cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,397

Per month£200/mo

Per week£46/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

68% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the RENAULT brand average of 80%.

At 23 years old, 68% of RENAULT CLIOs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 10,050 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 87,632 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars331th of 445(top 74%)

Rank among RENAULT models542th of 636(top 85%)

vs national average-14%(82% avg)

vs 2003 cars average-4%(72% avg)

vs RENAULT average-12%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

87,632

Average miles

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 RENAULT CLIO has 87,632 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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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 2003 sits between the two at 68%.

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

MINI MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£1,827/year

71%

+3%

FORD FOCUS

2005 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,827/year

71%

+3%

TOYOTA COROLLA

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£1,827/year

76%

+8%

MERCEDES C

2005 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,017/year

73%

+5%

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About the 2003 RENAULT CLIO

The 2003 RENAULT CLIO is a family car with a 1998cc petrol engine. 10,050 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 87,632 miles at 23 years old, RENAULT CLIO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2003 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 2003 RENAULT CLIO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,397 (£200/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 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 show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 6 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2003 RENAULT CLIO

At 23 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%. With 10,050 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2003 RENAULT CLIO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 23 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 88k 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.

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 2003 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(2003)	68%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2397
MINI MINI(2005)	71%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£570
FORD FOCUS(2005)	71%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£570
TOYOTA COROLLA(2005)	76%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£570
MERCEDES C(2005)	73%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£380

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.