Used Renault Clio review ~ station of gear

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6 Apr, 2016 1:00pm Richard Dredge

A full used car buyer’s guide on the Renault Clio covering the Clio Mk4 (2012-date)

The Renault Clio has been on sale for 25 years in the UK, and since arriving on these shores, the stylish supermini has become synonymous with driving fun, value and comfort. So it’s no wonder it’s won two separate European Car of the Year crowns.

Yet the latest, fourth generation has never repeated the feat, even though it’s easily the best version so far. With its stylish design, efficient engines and huge range of personalisation options, the Clio offers something for everyone, from the peppy and frugal 0.9 TCe petrol and the smooth and muscular 1.5-litre diesel to the Renaultsport 200, which is one of the best hot hatches around.

Models covered

The Renault Clio has been on UK roads since 1991 and has been through four generations, the latest arriving in 2012. It’s this Mk4 that we’re focusing on here.

Renault Clio Mk4 (2012-date) - Stylish, fun-to-drive supermini is a great second-hand buy

Renault Clio Mk4

Prices from £6,300

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History

The Clio Mk4 reached UK showrooms in February 2013 with a choice of 0.9 turbo or 1.2-litre petrol engines, along with a 1.5 dCi diesel. And while the previous car was offered in estate form, the Clio Mk4 comes only as a hatchback. Initially, there were Expression, Expression+, Dynamique MediaNav and Dynamique S MediaNav trims only, although in June 2013 a GT-Line specification was launched alongside the 197bhp Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo.

The following October, an EDC dual-clutch automatic gearbox was introduced on the diesel. And then in January 2015, the optional GT-Line Look Pack brought sporty details for Dynamique models.

Revisions in November 2015 saw the Expression+ trim renamed Play; at the same time, a DAB radio became standard on all cars featuring the R-Link multimedia system.

Renault Clio Mk4 reviews

Renault Clio 0.9 TCe review
Renault Clio dCi 90 review
Renault Clio 1.2 Expression review
Renault Clio 1.2 GT Line review
Renault Clio Dynamique MediaNav review
Renaultsport Clio 200 review
Renaultsport Clio 220 Trophy review

Which one should I buy?

The 0.9-litre petrol is much perkier than the 1.2-litre, and although this smaller and more modern engine will set you back an extra £200-£400, it’s worth the premium. The diesel is a great engine, too, as it’s muscular, smooth and economical.

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All examples come with Bluetooth, electric front windows and central locking. Expression+ adds air-con and alloy wheels, while Dynamique MediaNav also has a seven-inch multimedia touchscreen and electrically adjustable door mirrors.

On top of all this, the range-topping Dynamique S MediaNav features climate control, electric rear windows, rear parking sensors and power-folding door mirrors. Not many options are offered on the Expression; on the Dynamique, a glass roof, heated seats and a rear parking camera are available.

Alternatives to the Renault Clio Mk4

If you want a lot of car for your money, look no further than the Vauxhall Corsa; it’s an excellent all-rounder. Another great-value car is the Peugeot 208, which is streets ahead of the old 207.

Ford’s Fiesta is dated, but still superb to drive, top value and in plentiful supply. While the Toyota Yaris and Volkswagen Polo cost more than the Renault, they offer strong reliability and efficiency. The Mazda 2 is often overlooked, but worth consideration, while Skoda’s Fabia is another talented rival as it’s reliable and has some great engines.

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What to look for:

Build quality

The Clio is constructed to a higher standard than ever, although build quality was still one of the weaknesses in the car’s showing in our Driver Power 2015 satisfaction survey.

Performance

The other low point on the Driver Power score sheet came in the performance category. It’s worth taking a test drive to make sure there’s enough power on offer for you.

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Doors

Unlike previous versions of the Clio, the Mk4 has only ever been sold as a five-door hatch. However, the hidden door handles make it look like a three-door.

Sat-nav

The standard built-in sat-nav doesn’t allow you to carry out a full postcode search, but it can be upgraded for less than £5. The trouble is, this is a fiddly process.

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Interior

The Clio’s cabin has a stylish design and generally features high-quality plastics. Some cars get the R-Link multimedia system, which works brilliantly, and there’s loads of space. Boot capacity is good as well: it’s bigger than most, at 300 litres; fold the back seats and it increases to 1,146 litres.

Running costs

All Clios need to be serviced every two years or 18,000 miles. Expect to pay £149 for the first check; after this, services alternate between minor and major, at £169 and £269 respectively. On top of this, the brake fluid needs replacing every three years (at £45), with fresh coolant needed every five years or 90,000 miles (at £89).

While the TCe engines are chain-driven, the dCi and 1.2 16v units have a timing belt which must be replaced every six years (for £399). The mileage limit is 90,000 on the dCi; the petrol unit cuts this to 72,000 miles. An air-con service every two years is priced at £79.

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Recalls

The Clio Mk4 has been recalled twice so far, both over possible braking glitches. The first campaign launched in August 2014, aimed at Clios built from November 2012 to July 2014. These could suffer from brake fluid leaks because of the front hoses chafing and wearing through.

The most recent action, in July 2015, involved models made from March 2013 to April 2015. It was the same problem again, and nearly 50,000 cars were caught up in this recall; over 20,000 models were affected by the first.

Driver Power owner satisfaction

Having debuted in 38th in our Driver Power 2014 satisfaction survey, the Clio fell to 70th last year, largely because of owners’ criticisms around apparent build and reliability issues. Performance got another thumbs down, but running costs (31st), handling (52nd) and ride quality (64th) were rated highly.

The Clio Mk4 was a turning point for Renault in terms of space, efficiency and equipment, while the finish also appeared to take a leap forward. Now the first cars are three years old, it’s clear Renault has made great strides on build quality and reliability, even if it still isn’t quite setting the standard in these areas. Entry-level models are best avoided due to their sparse kit lists; even flagships aren’t as well equipped as some rivals, although they’re far from spartan. What will matter most to many people, though, is that the Clio still represents great value as a used buy.

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