RENAULT CLIO (2021)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 100 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,737
£145/month
MOT Pass Rate
89%
Good
Road Tax
£195
Flat rate/year
Insurance
Grp 12-25
1598cc Hybrid
Solid Option
89% pass rate, £1737/year to run. 7 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~42 mpg
Flat rate (post-2017)
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
Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the RENAULT brand average of 80%.
At 5 years old, 89% of RENAULT CLIOs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 100 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 21,382 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
21,382
Average miles
37,000
Expected for age
The average 2021 RENAULT CLIO has 21,382 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-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 2021 sits between the two at 89%.
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
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About the 2021 RENAULT CLIO
The 2021 RENAULT CLIO is a small family car with a 1598cc hybrid engine. 100 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 82% of 2021 cars for MOT pass rates.
With an average of 21,382 miles at 5 years old, RENAULT CLIO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2021 RENAULT CLIO Fuel Costs
The 1598cc hybrid 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 hybrid prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). As a hybrid, real-world fuel costs will vary significantly depending on how much electric-only driving you do.
What does it cost to own a 2021 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 89% 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 2021 RENAULT CLIO
At 5 years old, the RENAULT CLIO offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 91%.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2021 RENAULT CLIO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Hybrid Battery Health
Medium riskAfter 5 years, hybrid battery capacity may have reduced. A full replacement costs £2,000-£4,000, though reconditioning is cheaper at £500-£1,500.
Inverter and Power Electronics
Low riskThe inverter converts DC to AC for the electric motor. Failures are expensive (£1,500+) but relatively rare. Listen for unusual buzzing sounds.
Regenerative Braking
Medium riskBrake discs can corrode from reduced use (the electric motor handles most braking). Surface rust is normal but deep pitting needs attention.
Service History
Low riskAlways 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 2021 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(2021) | 89% | £1137 | £195 | Grp 12-25 | £1737 |
| TOYOTA YARIS(2019) | 93% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582-£155 |
| MINI COOPER S(2019) | 92% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582-£155 |
| LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT(2019) | 94% | £1327 | £190 | Grp 18-32 | £1772+£35 |
| TOYOTA C-HR(2019) | 92% | £1327 | £190 | Grp 18-32 | £1772+£35 |
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.
RENAULT CAPTUR
2016 · 1197cc Petrol
RENAULT KADJAR
2016 · 1500cc Diesel
RENAULT MEGANE
2010 · 1598cc Petrol
TOYOTA YARIS
2019 · 1497cc Hybrid
MINI COOPER S
2019 · 1499cc Hybrid
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT
2019 · 1997cc Hybrid
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