Comparison · small hatchbacks

Renault Clio vs Nissan Micra: which is more reliable?

The Nissan Micra does better at the MOT, with a score of 97 against 83 for the Renault Clio, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 555,213 real MOT tests in 2024.

Renault Clio

83Well below average
MOT tests316,849

Nissan Micra

97Below average
MOT tests238,364

By age

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

Age at testRenault ClioNissan Micra
3–5 years
95Below average
101About average
6–9 years
83Well below average
96Below average
10–14 years
78Well below average
100About average
15+ years
83Well below average
95Below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearRenault ClioNissan Micra
202187.0%91.2%
202084.2%88.0%
201977.0%83.4%
201874.0%77.2%
201768.7%71.7%
201660.7%75.6%
201557.7%73.9%
201454.7%69.6%
201355.8%66.5%
201247.6%63.0%
201146.6%61.7%
201047.1%60.5%
200948.1%59.6%
200846.7%58.9%
200746.7%55.2%
200646.6%54.5%
200547.7%51.3%
200448.4%51.8%
200349.0%51.6%
200252.5%54.0%
200152.3%54.3%
200051.4%52.5%
199949.8%54.4%
199850.7%54.1%
199751.3%53.5%
199665.4%53.1%
199568.8%56.9%
199471.3%58.7%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaRenault ClioNissan Micra
Lights & electrics28.126.6
Suspension23.517.8
Brakes15.99.2
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.57.7
Tyres9.26.3
Body & chassis5.94.7
Steering6.51.7
Emissions & leaks3.83.9

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%

Nissan Micra: top failures

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.8%
  2. Position lamp: not working3.7%
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.2%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.0%
  5. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.8%
  6. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.5%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Renault Clio or the Nissan Micra?

The Nissan Micra does better at the MOT, with a score of 97 against 83 for the Renault Clio, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Renault Clio and Nissan Micra can be compared?

Both were tested for 28 registration years (1994–2021). The Renault Clio had the higher pass rate in 3 of them and the Nissan Micra in 25.

What fails most on each?

Renault Clio: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; coil spring: fractured or broken. Nissan Micra: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; position lamp: not working.