Comparison · small hatchbacks

Fiat 500 vs Renault Clio: which is more reliable?

The Fiat 500 does better at the MOT, with a score of 95 against 83 for the Renault Clio, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 641,958 real MOT tests in 2024.

Fiat 500

95Below average
MOT tests325,109

Renault Clio

83Well below average
MOT tests316,849

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testFiat 500Renault Clio
3–5 years
100About average
95Below average
6–9 years
93Below average
83Well below average
10–14 years
94Below average
78Well below average
15+ years
94Below average
83Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearFiat 500Renault Clio
202188.6%87.0%
202087.4%84.2%
201984.2%77.0%
201879.9%74.0%
201776.0%68.7%
201671.0%60.7%
201565.8%57.7%
201464.5%54.7%
201363.7%55.8%
201261.0%47.6%
201158.8%46.6%
201056.9%47.1%
200954.6%48.1%
200854.2%46.7%
200756.8%46.7%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaFiat 500Renault Clio
Suspension18.423.5
Lights & electrics13.228.1
Brakes10.115.9
Tyres7.59.2
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.18.5
Body & chassis3.75.9
Emissions & leaks3.63.8
Steering0.76.5

Fiat 500: top failures

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn5.1%
  2. Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush2.8%
  3. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.5%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.2%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.1%
  6. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.6%

Renault Clio: top failures

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn7.2%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken7.1%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play4.3%
  4. Position lamp: not working3.5%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
  6. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.6%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Fiat 500 or the Renault Clio?

The Fiat 500 does better at the MOT, with a score of 95 against 83 for the Renault Clio, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Fiat 500 and Renault Clio can be compared?

Both were tested for 15 registration years (2007–2021). The Fiat 500 had the higher pass rate in 15 of them and the Renault Clio in 0.

What fails most on each?

Fiat 500: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush. Renault Clio: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; coil spring: fractured or broken.