The quintessential budget city car of its era - cheap to buy, cheap to insure, fun to drive in corners. The D4F engine is fundamentally reliable but suffers from ignition coil failures, throttle body issues, and ECU wiring problems that cause misfires and stalling. Door locks are notoriously fragile (nearly universal failure). Bonnet catch can fail dangerously - verify recall completed. Timing belt is critical (bends valves if it snaps). At 20+ years old, rust on rear wheel arches and electrical gremlins are inevitable on most examples.
Plastic internals break - affects nearly every Clio II ever made - more- less
This is the single most common fault on the Clio II, reportedly affecting 99% of all cars. The lock mechanisms contain poor-quality plastic components that break over time. Rear doors are especially prone. A Renault parts employee confirmed they sell these in huge quantities. At breakers yards, every Clio rear door lock is typically already gone. Parts cost €10-150 depending on source. A local locksmith or DIY replacement keeps costs down.
Ignition coil pack / HT leads failure€80 - €200
Causes misfires, engine cutting out, poor running - common on 1.2 16V - more- less
The D4F engine's coil pack is known for failure. Symptoms include spluttering, misfiring, engine cutting out completely, and the orange coil warning light appearing on the dashboard. The HT pack is all one unit on the D4F engine. Replacement parts cost €30-60 for aftermarket, slightly more for OEM. Pre-2003 1.2 16V engines are particularly prone to this issue. Often happens at junctions or when idling in traffic.
Throttle body malfunction€100 - €400
Causes rough idle, stalling, poor throttle response, limp mode - more- less
The electronically-controlled throttle body on the 1.2 16V is prone to problems. Symptoms include juddering at idle when cold, RPM dropping below 500, poor throttle response, and the car entering limp mode. Often the fix is simply cleaning with carb cleaner (nearly free). If replacement is needed, aftermarket parts cost €50-150, with dealer fitting plus ECU reprogramming adding labor costs. The throttle body cannot be operated by cable - it's fully electronic.
ECU wiring loom damage€100 - €900
Anti-tamper cage rubs wiring, causing shorts and ECU damage - more- less
The steel anti-tamper cage protecting the ECU rattles and wears into the wiring loom, rubbing away insulation and creating electrical shorts. It can also wear into the ECU casing, allowing water ingress. Many garages misdiagnose this as needing a new ECU (€450-900), when the real fix is repairing the damaged wiring (much cheaper). Check the wiring behind the engine before agreeing to ECU replacement. ECU reprogramming is often free at dealers.
Timing belt failure€300 - €600
Must be replaced every 5 years/75,000 km - D4F engine bends valves if belt snaps - more- less
The D4F is an interference engine - if the timing belt snaps, the valves will hit the pistons, causing catastrophic engine damage. Replacement interval is every 5 years or 75,000 km, whichever comes first. Cambelt kit costs €80-110 for genuine parts. Combined timing belt + water pump replacement at a dealer runs €400-600; independent garages typically charge €250-400. Always verify timing belt history before purchase. On a 20+ year old car, if there's no proof of recent replacement, budget for this immediately.
Head gasket failure€400 - €750
Common on 1.2 engines - look for "mayo" in oil, coolant loss, overheating - more- less
Clios are noted to be prone to head gasket failure. Symptoms include: mayonnaise-like substance in the oil filler cap, bubbles in the coolant expansion tank, unexplained coolant loss, overheating, and white exhaust smoke. Note: some "mayo" is normal on 1.2 engines due to the oil breathing system. Repair costs €400-750 including head skimming, new gasket, and new head bolts. Recommended to replace the cambelt at the same time if due.
Bonnet catch failure€50 - €150
Latch can fail causing bonnet to fly open at speed - featured on BBC Watchdog - more- less
This is a potentially dangerous issue that was covered on BBC Watchdog. The bonnet catch becomes clogged with dirt and can fail to latch properly, causing the bonnet to fly up while driving - blocking all forward vision. Owners have reported near-miss incidents at motorway speeds. Renault issued a recall in 2009 and replaced catches free of charge. The catch requires regular lubrication and greasing. Verify with Renault whether your car was included in the recall.
Rear wheel arch rust€300 - €600 per arch
Corrosion bubbles through from inside - common on all 20+ year old examples - more- less
Rust around the fuel filler cap area and rear wheel arches is very common, partly due to partial wheel arch liners. The rust often originates from inside the bodywork - when you see paint bubbling, the metal underneath may already have holes. Poor original paintwork contributes to the problem. Repair involves cutting out the affected section. OEM galvanised panels from Renault cost €350-430; aftermarket panels €100-150. Body shop repair costs €500+ per arch. Both rear arches often need attention.
ABS sensor failure€100 - €200
ABS warning light illuminates - often caused by corroded sensor ring on driveshaft - more- less
If the ABS light is on, the most common cause is a faulty or corroded ABS sensor ring on the front driveshafts, or the sensor itself. A pulsating brake pedal feeling often accompanies the warning light. Sensor parts cost €10-65. Front sensor replacement with labor costs €90-150; rear sensors €100-160. ABS sensors typically last 50,000-80,000 km. Note: a permanently illuminated ABS light will cause MOT/APK failure.
Battery drain / alternator issues€50 - €400
Renaults are known for eating batteries - electrical faults cause parasitic drain - more- less
"Renaults eat batteries because everything is electric" is a common forum refrain. Parasitic drain can be caused by: boot light staying on, faulty earth connections, or hidden electrical faults. Normal drain should be 0.3-0.4 amps - anything higher indicates a problem. Simple fix: check the boot light first. Alternator replacement costs €150-400 fitted. New battery €60-120. A decent trickle charger (€40-80) is a wise investment for any Clio owner.
Clutch replacement€300 - €500
Clutch is known for being "fierce" but usually lasts well - 100k+ km typical - more- less
The Clio clutch is noted for having a short biting point, making smooth gear changes tricky for new owners. However, it's generally durable and lasts 100,000+ km with normal driving. Replacement requires dropping the subframe and takes 5-6 hours of labor. Clutch kit parts cost €50-140. Total replacement cost: €300-400 at independent garages; Renault dealers quote €600-700. Avoid paying more than €450 for a 1.2 clutch.
Affordable but aging - electrical and rust issues are inevitable
The Clio II is a genuinely fun, practical city car that many owners report driving trouble-free for 10+ years. The D4F engine is fundamentally solid. However, at 20+ years old, expect electrical gremlins, worn door locks, and rust. The car's low value means major repairs (head gasket, rust, gearbox) often exceed the car's worth. Best approach: buy a well-documented example, budget for timing belt service, and accept minor issues as part of cheap motoring.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history Look for timing belt replacement records - critical on this engine. Any gaps after 75,000 km are a red flag.
Tires Standard size 175/65 R14. Check tread depth and age - date codes on sidewall. Budget tires are fine for this car.
Cold start Start the engine completely cold. Listen for any unusual sounds. Watch for rough idle or stalling in the first 2 minutes.
Body condition Check for rust especially around rear wheel arches and fuel filler cap. Look for paint bubbling.
Test drive Minimum 20 minutes including varied speeds. Note any warning lights, particularly the orange coil light.
Specific for this vehicle
Test all door locks individually Open and close each door using both central locking and manual interior handles. Rear doors are most likely to fail. Listen for clicking or grinding.
Check for orange coil warning light Drive for 15+ minutes. If the orange coil light appears (especially at junctions or when idling), the ignition coil pack is failing.
Test throttle response when cold When the engine is cold, does it judder? Does RPM drop below 500? Poor response indicates throttle body issues - often just needs cleaning.
Verify timing belt replacement date Must be replaced every 5 years or 75,000 km. If no proof, assume it needs doing immediately. Budget €300-500.
Inspect rear wheel arches for rust Look at the inside lip of the wheel arch and around the fuel filler. Push gently - soft spots indicate rot underneath.
Check bonnet catch operation Open and close bonnet several times. Does it latch securely? Has the recall been completed? Ask Renault with VIN.
Look for "mayo" in oil filler cap Some milky residue is normal on 1.2 engines. Excessive amounts plus bubbles in coolant = head gasket concern.
Check ECU wiring behind engine If you can access it, look for damaged wiring where the anti-tamper cage may have rubbed.
Contact Renault with the VIN to verify all recalls have been completed. The bonnet catch recall is particularly important due to the safety risk. Many Clio IIs have multiple outstanding recalls - Renault sent letters but many owners never actioned them.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (2 years)Expired on all Clio IIs
Corrosion warranty (6 years)Expired on all Clio IIs
All Clio II models (1998-2005) are well outside any manufacturer warranty. Extended warranties are generally not economical for cars of this age and value. Best approach is to set aside a small monthly repair fund (€30-50/month) for unexpected issues.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.