Comparison · small hatchbacks

Toyota Yaris vs Renault Clio: which is more reliable?

The Toyota Yaris does better at the MOT, with a score of 104 against 83 for the Renault Clio, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 771,546 real MOT tests in 2024.

Toyota Yaris

104Above average

MOT tests454,697

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 test	Toyota Yaris	Renault Clio
3–5 years	104Above average	95Below average
6–9 years	106Above average	83Well below average
10–14 years	109Well above average	78Well below average
15+ years	99About average	83Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

Year	Toyota Yaris	Renault Clio
2021	93.1%	87.0%
2020	89.0%	84.2%
2019	87.0%	77.0%
2018	85.1%	74.0%
2017	83.0%	68.7%
2016	82.9%	60.7%
2015	80.5%	57.7%
2014	75.8%	54.7%
2013	72.4%	55.8%
2012	70.7%	47.6%
2011	69.3%	46.6%
2010	65.3%	47.1%
2009	65.2%	48.1%
2008	57.5%	46.7%
2007	56.5%	46.7%
2006	54.5%	46.6%
2005	54.1%	47.7%
2004	53.3%	48.4%
2003	53.8%	49.0%
2002	55.9%	52.5%
2001	55.1%	52.3%
2000	55.1%	51.4%
1999	54.5%	49.8%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

Area	Toyota Yaris	Renault Clio
Lights & electrics	19.2	28.1
Suspension	9.7	23.5
Brakes	7.9	15.9
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)	6.3	8.5
Tyres	5.4	9.2
Body & chassis	3.2	5.9
Emissions & leaks	3.5	3.8
Steering	0.3	6.5

Toyota Yaris: top failures

Position lamp: not working3.5%
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.6%
Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.9%
Coil spring: fractured or broken1.8%
Stop lamp: not working1.4%
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.2%

Renault Clio: top failures

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

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Toyota Yaris or the Renault Clio?

The Toyota Yaris does better at the MOT, with a score of 104 against 83 for the Renault Clio, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Toyota Yaris and Renault Clio can be compared?

Both were tested for 23 registration years (1999–2021). The Toyota Yaris had the higher pass rate in 23 of them and the Renault Clio in 0.

What fails most on each?

Toyota Yaris: position lamp: not working; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. Renault Clio: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; coil spring: fractured or broken.