Before you buy a used Renault Clio (IV).
Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.
The essentials.
- 4 documented, sourced faults across its 6 engines.
- 1 of them depends on the equipment or the production date: ask what this car has.
- 8 official recalls on record: ask for the chassis number (VIN) and confirm they have been done.
- According to the data we have, the engines with the fewest documented faults are: 1.2 16V (D4F) (Petrol), 1.6 TCe RS (M5Mt) (Petrol), 0.9 TCe GLP (LPG / CNG).
Typical faults by engine
The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.
All versions
Sheets the catalogue links to all 6 of its engines.
- Judder and faults on the EDC dual-clutch automaticAutomatic gearbox
- Period mentioned
- Approx. 2012–2019
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Applies if: Only with the 6-speed EDC automatic (dual clutch). Confirm the gearbox type.
1.2 16V (D4F) · 1.6 TCe RS (M5Mt) · 0.9 TCe GLP
1.2 16V (D4F) (Petrol) · 1.6 TCe RS (M5Mt) (Petrol) · 0.9 TCe GLP (LPG / CNG)
We have no faults specific to this engine, only those common to every version.
0.9 TCe (H4Bt)
Petrol
- Stretched timing chain on the 0.9 and 1.2 TCeTiming system
- Period mentioned
- Approx. 2012–2020
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
1.2 TCe (H5Ft)
Petrol
- Period mentioned
- Approx. 2012–2015
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
These also apply, described above: Stretched timing chain on the 0.9 and 1.2 TCe
1.5 dCi (K9K)
Diesel
- Clogged particulate filter on the 1.5 dCiExhaust and emissions
- Period mentioned
- 2010 onwards
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Which engine has the fewest documented faults?
| Engine | Documented faults | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2 16V (D4F)PetrolFewest documented | 11 with conditions | 8 |
| 0.9 TCe (H4Bt)Petrol | 21 with conditions | 8 |
| 1.2 TCe (H5Ft)Petrol | 31 with conditions | 8 |
| 1.6 TCe RS (M5Mt)PetrolFewest documented | 11 with conditions | 8 |
| 0.9 TCe GLPLPG / CNGFewest documented | 11 with conditions | 8 |
| 1.5 dCi (K9K)Diesel | 21 with conditions | 8 |
According to the data we have, the engines with the fewest documented faults are: 1.2 16V (D4F) (Petrol), 1.6 TCe RS (M5Mt) (Petrol), 0.9 TCe GLP (LPG / CNG).
By fuel type, the one with the fewest documented faults is: LPG / CNG.
We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.
Official recalls: ask before you pay
A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.
- Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
- Ask an official Renault dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
- Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Renault brake recalls (2015–2021)Brakes
How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; inspect and replace the part named in the recall. With a brake fault, do not drive.
View full entryRenault recalls for wheel, axle and suspension fixings (2015–2026)Suspension and steering
How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; check the tightening and replace the parts named. With noise from a wheel, do not drive.
View full entryRenault recalls for fuel-leak risk (2015–2024)Fuel system
How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; with a fuel smell, do not drive and have the circuit checked; protect or replace the part named.
View full entryRenault electrical and lighting recalls (2018–2020)Electrical and electronic systems
How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; correct the wiring, reprogram or replace the part named.
View full entryRenault seat and child-lock recalls (2015–2024)Passive safety / seats
How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; inspect and reinforce or replace the part named; check the child lock stays on.
View full entryRenault body recalls: parts that may come loose (2016–2025)Bodywork
How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; reinforce, re-bond, tighten or replace the part named.
View full entryRenault brake recalls (2000–2014)Brakes
How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; inspect and replace, reprogram or correct the part named in the recall.
View full entryRenault steering, suspension and axle recalls (2001–2014)Suspension and steering
How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; inspect and replace, reprogram or correct the part named in the recall.
View full entryOn the test drive: what to look and listen for
Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.
0 of 4 checked
Timing system
Look out for: Metallic chain rattle, especially when cold or at idle; engine light with a crankshaft–camshaft correlation code; in serious cases the chain jumps and damages the valves.
Ask them to check: With any chain noise or a P0016 code, diagnose straight away: measure the stretch and check the tensioner and guides before the timing jumps. Shorten oil-change intervals.
Engine
Look out for: Oil needs topping up often; the level can reach the minimum with no warning on the dashboard. In advanced cases, timing noise, loss of power or serious engine damage.
Ask them to check: Measure oil consumption with the dipstick over several thousand km, ask the dealer for a diagnosis and the calibration update, and keep every maintenance invoice to request support.
Exhaust and emissions
Look out for: Particulate-filter or emissions warning, limp mode with loss of power and frequent regenerations.
Ask them to check: Read the soot load with a diagnostic tool, run a forced regeneration at the garage and check the differential-pressure sensors and EGR. Make long road trips now and then.
Automatic gearbox
Look out for: Low-speed judder, harsh 1st–2nd shifts, clunks when selecting D or R, overheating warnings in traffic and a “Check auto gearbox” message.
Ask them to check: Check software updates and the gearbox oil-change history; reset the clutch adaptations with a diagnostic tool and replace the clutch only if wear exceeds the adjustment range.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.
- Stretched timing chain on the 0.9 and 1.2 TCe
- Excessive oil consumption on the 1.2 TCe (H5Ft)
- Clogged particulate filter on the 1.5 dCi
- Judder and faults on the EDC dual-clutch automatic
- Renault brake recalls (2015–2021)
- Renault recalls for wheel, axle and suspension fixings (2015–2026)
- Renault recalls for fuel-leak risk (2015–2024)
- Renault electrical and lighting recalls (2018–2020)
- Renault seat and child-lock recalls (2015–2024)
- Renault body recalls: parts that may come loose (2016–2025)
- Renault brake recalls (2000–2014)
- Renault steering, suspension and axle recalls (2001–2014)
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