Renault Clio vs Vauxhall Corsa: which is the better used buy?

On DVSA MOT records the Vauxhall Corsa is the more reliable used buy: it passes its first MOT 6.8 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 126,526 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
Vauxhall Corsa	71%	76%	-5	94,401

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

Vauxhall Corsa

Mk5 (E) 2014–2019, Mk6 (F) 2019+ · supermini / city hatch

The Vauxhall Corsa Mk6 (2019+) uses the PSA 1.2 PureTech engine, which is efficient but runs its timing belt in engine oil — the "wet belt" that has caused engine failures across Peugeot, Citroën and Vauxhall. It is a service item, not a lottery: Stellantis cut the interval to 6 years or 62,000 miles, so what matters is whether the belt has been done, not the model year. The older Mk5 (2014–2019) with the 1.4 naturally aspirated petrol avoids the issue entirely and is near-bulletproof; its Easytronic automated-manual is the only real risk. Best-buy: Mk5 1.4 manual, or a Mk6 with a documented belt change.

What goes wrong

1.2 PureTech wet timing belt (Mk6)critical
Oil level dropping between services; rattle or whine on cold start; engine warning light; in the worst case sudden oil-pressure loss and engine failure
2019–2023 Mk6 (1.2 PureTech petrol — the wet belt was phased out for a chain from 2023) · Belt is due at 6 years or 62,000 miles, whichever comes first — failures cluster on cars that passed it · £450–£850 at a UK independent for the belt including cleaning the oil pick-up; £4,000+ if the belt has already shed debris and starved the engine
Check: This engine runs its timing belt submerged in engine oil. As the belt ages it sheds rubber particles, and those particles block the oil pick-up strainer — so the belt does not usually snap, it starves the engine instead. Ask one question: has the belt been changed, and is there an invoice? Stellantis revised the interval down to 6 years or 62,000 miles with annual oil changes on the correct 5W-30, so a 2019–2020 car is at or past it now. Pull the dipstick and treat a low level as a red flag. Stellantis also runs a UK compensation portal covering qualifying wet-belt repairs paid for between January 2022 and December 2024, and a warranty extension of up to 10 years / 112,000 miles on these engines — worth checking before you accept any quote.
Easytronic automated-manual (Mk5)major
Hesitation and shuddering in slow traffic; clutch actuator warning; slow gearchanges
Mk5 with Easytronic (not the 5-speed manual) · 50,000+ miles · £600–£1,200 clutch actuator + clutch plate; full Easytronic overhaul £1,500+
Check: Test drive in stop-start traffic only. Smooth clutch engagement on pull-away is the test. Any shudder = actuator worn. Check exactly which gearbox is fitted — Easytronic vs manual via VIN.
Electric power steering (EPS) failuremoderate
"Power Steering" warning; heavy steering; loss of assistance at low speeds
Mk5 and early Mk6 · 60,000+ miles · £450–£900 EPS motor or control unit
Check: Test power steering at parking lot speeds. Should be effortless. Any heaviness or warning = EPS issue.
Brake booster failure (Mk5)moderate
Hard brake pedal requiring heavy foot pressure; longer stopping distances
Mk5 2014–2019 · 75,000+ miles · £350–£600
Check: Press brake pedal firmly several times with engine off — should feel firm but not rock-hard when engine starts. Hard pedal with engine running = booster suspect.

Typical asking price:: Mk5: £3,500–£9,000 | Mk6: £8,000–£18,000 (2019–2023)
Real-world economy:: 1.2 PureTech: 40–49 mpg. 1.4 N/A (Mk5): 36–44 mpg
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
Years to avoid:: 2019, 2020

Full Corsa fault guide Used Vauxhalls

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.

Vauxhall Corsa

Good for: First-time buyers on a budget; urban commuters; buyers wanting low running costs. The Mk5 1.4 manual is the most forgiving used car buy in the UK under £10,000.

Less good for: Anyone considering a 2019–2020 Mk6 1.2 PureTech without confirmed service history — the timing chain risk is real. Buyers needing a car primarily for motorway miles (too small for comfort).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more reliable, the Renault Clio or the Vauxhall Corsa?

The Vauxhall Corsa. It passes its first MOT 6.8 percentage points more often than the Renault Clio once both are age-adjusted, across 126,526 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 Vauxhall Corsa?

71% of Vauxhall Corsas pass their MOT first time, from 94,401 tests. Against the 76% that cars of its age average, it runs 5 points worse.

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 Vauxhall Corsa, 2019–2020 Mk6 cars are now past the revised 6-year/62,000-mile belt interval, and this is the failure that matters: the belt degrades in the oil, the debris blocks the oil pick-up, and the engine is starved rather than the belt snapping. A car of these years with no belt invoice is carrying an open-ended risk, and repair once debris has circulated runs well beyond the cost of the belt itself.

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 Vauxhall Corsa returns 1.2 PureTech: 40–49 mpg. 1.4 N/A (Mk5): 36–44 mpg. 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).; Corsa — £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.