What are the main MOT differences between Renault Clio and Peugeot 208?

The Renault Clio has a 41.0% overall MOT failure rate (1,433,101 tests) while the Peugeot 208 has 24.7% (793,679 tests). The top failure area for the Renault Clio is lamps & electrics, while for the Peugeot 208 it is lamps & electrics.

Should I buy a Renault Clio or Peugeot 208?

From an MOT reliability standpoint, the Peugeot 208 has a lower failure rate. However, MOT pass rates are just one factor — also consider insurance costs, fuel economy, running costs and personal preference. Use AutoSafe's free prediction tool to check a specific vehicle by registration.

Renault Clio vs Peugeot 208 — MOT Failure Rate Comparison

Q: Which is more reliable, Renault Clio or Peugeot 208?

Based on 2,226,780 MOT tests, the Peugeot 208 is more reliable with a 16.3 percentage point lower failure rate. The Renault Clio has a 41.0% failure rate while the Peugeot 208 has 24.7%.

Renault Clio

41.0%

failure rate from 1,433,101 tests

13.0pp above UK avg (28%)

Peugeot 208

24.7%

failure rate from 793,679 tests

3.3pp below UK avg (28%)

Verdict: The Peugeot 208 is more reliable based on MOT data, with a 16.3 percentage point lower failure rate than the Renault Clio.

Failure Rate by Vehicle Age

How the Renault Clio and Peugeot 208 compare across different age groups:

Age	Renault Clio	Peugeot 208	Difference
0-2 years	13.5%	9.0%	Peugeot 208 +4.5pp
3-5 years	20.2%	15.9%	Peugeot 208 +4.3pp
6-10 years	39.2%	29.2%	Peugeot 208 +9.9pp
11-15 years	50.7%	40.5%	Peugeot 208 +10.2pp

Component Risk Comparison

Side-by-side breakdown of which MOT failure areas each model is weaker in:

Renault Clio Component Peugeot 208

9.3%

Lamps & Electrics

4.9%

9.1%

Suspension

1.9%

5.0%

Brakes

2.0%

4.0%

Visibility

1.5%

3.8%

Tyres

2.6%

3.0%

Steering

0.4%

2.3%

Body & Chassis

3.3%

Component	Renault Clio	Peugeot 208	Better
Lamps & Electrics	9.3%	4.9%	Peugeot 208
Suspension	9.1%	1.9%	Peugeot 208
Brakes	5.0%	2.0%	Peugeot 208
Visibility	4.0%	1.5%	Peugeot 208
Tyres	3.8%	2.6%	Peugeot 208
Steering	3.0%	0.4%	Peugeot 208
Body & Chassis	2.3%	3.3%	Renault Clio

Which Is More Reliable: Renault Clio or Peugeot 208?

Based on official DVSA MOT test records covering 2,226,780 tests between these two models, the Peugeot 208 comes out ahead with a 16.3 percentage point lower overall failure rate. The Peugeot 208 fails 24.7% of the time compared to the Renault Clio's 41.0%.

However, the gap between these models varies by vehicle age. Younger examples of both models tend to have more similar pass rates, while differences can become more pronounced as vehicles age and accumulate wear. Component-level data shows each model has different weak spots — the Renault Clio's top risk area is lamps & electrics while the Peugeot 208's is lamps & electrics. Knowing your model's specific weaknesses helps you target pre-MOT checks where they matter most.

Explore Each Model in Detail

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Data methodology: Failure rates are weighted averages across all mileage bands, calculated from official DVSA MOT test records. Only age/mileage combinations with 100+ tests are included. Component risks represent the probability of failure in each specific area. Data covers 142 million MOT tests across the UK. Comparisons are based on aggregate statistics and individual vehicle condition will vary.

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