Renault Clio vs Toyota Yaris: which is the better used buy?

On DVSA MOT records the Toyota Yaris is the more reliable used buy: it passes its first MOT 15.6 percentage points more often than the Renault Clio once both are compared against what the national fleet scores at the same age. That comparison covers 81,521 real tests, not a survey.

MOT first-time pass rate

Counted from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test records. “vs age-matched” compares each model against what the national fleet scores at the same age — the only fair better-or-worse number, because an older fleet fails more whatever its build quality.

Model	Pass rate	Age-matched national	Difference	Tests
Renault Clio	62.7%	74.5%	-11.8	32,125
Toyota Yaris	79.5%	75.7%	+3.8	49,396

Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0). National first-time pass rate 77.3%. Applies to Great Britain — Northern Ireland is tested by the DVA under a separate manual.

Renault Clio

Mk4 2012–2019, Mk5 2019+ · supermini hatchback

The Renault Clio is one of the UK's most popular superminis. The Mk4 (2012–2019) is reliable but has a known timing belt replacement requirement on 1.5 dCi diesel engines and documented EGR valve fouling. The Mk5 (2019+) with the 1.0 TCe turbopetrol and optional mild hybrid is significantly more modern and reliable overall. Key concerns: EDC dual-clutch gearbox reliability on Mk4, clutch wear on manual diesels, and infotainment updates needed on early Mk5. Best buy: 2021+ Mk5 1.0 TCe manual. Worst: Mk4 with high-mileage diesel and EDC auto.

What goes wrong

Timing belt — 1.5 dCi diesel (Mk4)critical
No warning — belt fails without symptoms; catastrophic engine damage results
Mk4 2012–2019 (1.5 dCi diesel) · Replace every 35,000 miles or 5 years · £400–£650 preventative kit; £2,000–£4,000 engine if belt snaps
Check: Verify belt change in service history. The Renault 1.5 dCi is an interference engine. No record means budget for immediate replacement before buying.
EDC dual-clutch gearbox judder (Mk4)major
Shudder from standstill; hesitant 1st-to-2nd change; jerky slow-speed behaviour
Mk4 2012–2019 (EDC automatic) · Often from 25,000 miles on; worsens with age · £300–£800 re-learn and fluid change; £1,500–£2,800 mechatronic or replacement
Check: Test at walking pace in traffic and from cold. The Mk4 EDC is the weakest part of the car. If buying automatic Mk4, only accept a price that reflects the gearbox risk. Mk4 manual is far more reliable.
EGR valve fouling (1.5 dCi diesel)moderate
Engine Management Light; rough idle; black smoke under acceleration; loss of power
Mk4 2012–2019 (diesel) · Above 50,000 miles or heavy short-journey use · £350–£700 EGR clean or replacement
Check: Check EML during test drive. Diesels with service history showing mostly city driving are highest risk. An Italian tune (hard motorway run) before the test can mask symptoms temporarily.
Infotainment software (Mk5 early build)minor
MediaNav or Easy Link screen freezes; CarPlay drops out; slow wake from standby
2019–2021 Mk5 · £0 — dealer software update resolves most cases
Check: Test CarPlay and navigation responsiveness during test drive. Renault dealer OTA update is free. If freezing occurs, request update as a condition of sale.

Typical asking price:: Mk4: £2,000–£9,000 | Mk5: £5,000–£17,000 (2019–2023)
Real-world economy:: 46–54 mpg (1.0 TCe petrol, real-world UK); 51–63 mpg (1.5 dCi diesel)
Vehicle tax:: £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
Best years:: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Years to avoid:: 2013, 2014, 2015

Full Clio fault guide Used Renaults

Toyota Yaris

XP210, 2020+ · supermini hybrid hatch

The XP210 Toyota Yaris Hybrid (2020+) is among the most reliable cars sold in the UK. The hybrid system is solid; minor concerns are early-batch AC compressor failures, the 12V auxiliary battery on cars left unused, and brake squeak (cosmetic, common across all hybrids). The pre-2020 XP130 had rear-beam corrosion in coastal areas — XP210 unaffected. Best-buy: any year. Worst: none.

What goes wrong

AC compressor (early-batch)moderate
AC blows warm; clicking from compressor
Early 2020 production · £650–£950 compressor + regas
Check: Test AC during inspection — should be cold within 1 minute on a warm day.
12V auxiliary battery (unused cars)minor
Hybrid system won't wake; "READY" not appearing
All XP210 · Battery age 4–5 years · £220–£350
Check: Toyota battery health check at dealer (£20–£30).
Brake squeak (regen)minor
Squeak at low speeds, fades with speed
All hybrids · Cosmetic
Check: Common, not a fault.
Touch 2 infotainment lagminor
Slow CarPlay response
2020–2022 · No fix — software limitation
Check: Use 10+ minutes during test drive to assess if liveable.

Typical asking price:: £14,000–£22,000 (2020–2024)
Real-world economy:: 63–74 mpg hybrid — best-in-class
Vehicle tax:: £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
Best years:: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

Full Yaris fault guide Used Toyotas

Which one suits you

Renault Clio

Good for: First-time buyers and young drivers seeking low running costs. City and suburban driving. Buyers who want proven reliability on a small budget. Mk5 E-Tech hybrid for fuel economy.

Less good for: Buyers who need an automatic gearbox and want reliability — avoid the Mk4 EDC. Rural drivers who need more ground clearance. High-mileage diesel buyers doing short journeys.

Toyota Yaris

Good for: Urban drivers, first-time buyers, anyone prioritising lowest running costs.

Less good for: Long-distance highway commuters wanting cabin space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more reliable, the Renault Clio or the Toyota Yaris?

The Toyota Yaris. It passes its first MOT 15.6 percentage points more often than the Renault Clio once both are age-adjusted, across 81,521 DVSA-recorded tests.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Renault Clio?

62.7% of Renault Clios pass their MOT first time, from 32,125 tests in DVSA's records. The national first-time rate is 77.3%, but cars of this model's age average 74.5% — so it runs 11.8 points worse than its age group.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Toyota Yaris?

79.5% of Toyota Yariss pass their MOT first time, from 49,396 tests. Against the 75.7% that cars of its age average, it runs 3.8 points better.

Which years should I avoid?

For the Renault Clio, Early Mk4 (2013–2015) UK examples suffer from EDC dual-clutch gearbox judder, EGR fouling on diesel, and 1.5 dCi timing belt neglect. These are the most problematic Clios to buy used. For the Toyota Yaris, No standout bad year in XP210. Pre-2020 XP130 had documented rear-beam corrosion in coastal areas — that generation is the one to avoid.

Which is cheaper to run?

The Renault Clio returns 46–54 mpg (1.0 TCe petrol, real-world UK); 51–63 mpg (1.5 dCi diesel) in real UK driving; the Toyota Yaris returns 63–74 mpg hybrid — best-in-class. Vehicle tax: Clio — £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).; Yaris — £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).. Insurance differs mainly by driver and postcode rather than by model, so treat any model-level insurance figure with caution.

MOT figures are counted from DVSA records and are the only measured statistic here. Prices, economy and tax bands are indicative and vary by specification, condition and where the car has lived. Last reviewed: 2026-08-14 / 2026-08-14.