Used Ford Fiesta Mk7 (2008–17) vs Renault Clio IV (2012–19)
Figures updated
Shopping for a used supermini? We compare the Ford Fiesta Mk7 (2008–2017) and Renault Clio IV (2012–2019), which were on sale at the same time, on size, boot space, performance, safety and running costs, plus how cars of their age do in real MOT tests.
The short answer
The Ford Fiesta Mk7 comes out ahead, with the better MOT record and more performance; the Renault Clio IV is close on everything else.
- Their boots are much the same size: Ford Fiesta Mk7 290 litres, Renault Clio IV 300 litres.
- The Ford Fiesta Mk7 has the better MOT record for its age: the Ford Fiesta Mk7 fails its MOT 15% more often than average for its age (38% of Ford Fiestas built 2008–2017 failed first time in 2024, against 33% of all cars that age), while the Renault Clio IV fails its MOT 50% more often than average for its age (40% of Renault Clios built 2012–2019 failed first time in 2024, against 26% of all cars that age).
- Watch the steering on a Ford Fiesta Mk7: it fails on them 1.8 times as often as the average car.
- Watch the steering on a Renault Clio IV: it fails on them 2.9 times as often as the average car.
| Figure | Ford Fiesta Mk7Mk7 (2008–2017), 5-door hatchback | Renault Clio IVClio IV (2012–2019), 5-door hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Body | 5-door hatchback | 5-door hatchback |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| BootSeats up / folded | 290 litres / 974 | 300 litres / 1,146 (best) |
| Length | 3,969mm | 4,062mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,722mm | 1,732mm |
| Height | 1,495mm | 1,448mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 60–182 PS (best) | 75–120 PS |
| 0–62mph | 6.9–16.9 sec (best) | 9.0–15.4 sec |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2012) | ★★★★★ (2012) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Diesel | – |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 68.9–85.6 mpg | – |
| CO2 | 85–107 g/km | – |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Diesel198.4p a litre | £887 (76.3 mpg) | – |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £887 (diesel) | – |
| Car tax, registered 2001 to 2017Taxed on CO2; newer cars pay a flat £200 | £20 to £360 | – |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 86Below average (best) | 71Well below average |
| Failed first time, cars of this generation's ageUK rate for cars the same age in brackets | 38.0% (33.0%)built 2008–2017 (best) | 39.6% (26.3%)built 2012–2019 |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 34.3% (best) | 42.9% |
| Failed at 3 years old | 13.2% (best) | 13.8% |
| Failed at 5 years old | 14.6% (best) | 24.5% |
| Failed at 10 years old | 36.6% (best) | 45.3% |
| Most common MOT fault | Stop lamp (6.1% of tests) | Ball joint (8.1% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Steering (1.8×), Lights and electrics (1.4×) | Steering (2.9×), Seat belts and airbags (2.0×) |
| MOT tests analysed | 1,368,897 | 310,528 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Supermini | Supermini |
| Owners' average miles a year | 6,800 | 6,700 |
| On sale | 2008–2017 | 2012–2019 |
Green marks the better figure where the difference is more than 3%. Reliability figures cover every version of each model tested in the year. Running costs use the typical official economy of recent versions (WLTP where available); real-world economy is usually a little worse for every car.
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
›Is a used Ford Fiesta Mk7 or Renault Clio IV more reliable?
The Ford Fiesta Mk7. Compared with all cars the same age, the Ford Fiesta Mk7 fails its MOT 15% more often than average and the Renault Clio IV 50% more often than average (DVSA MOT tests, 2024). Because they're different ages, their raw rates differ: 38.0% of Ford Fiestas built 2008–2017 failed first time, and 39.6% of Renault Clios built 2012–2019. Whatever you buy, check the MOT history of the exact car.
›Which is bigger, the Ford Fiesta Mk7 or the Renault Clio IV?
The Renault Clio IV is 93mm longer (4,062mm against 3,969mm). Their boots are much the same: 290 and 300 litres.
›Which is safer, the Ford Fiesta Mk7 or the Renault Clio IV?
Euro NCAP gave the Ford Fiesta Mk7 5 stars (2012) and the Renault Clio IV 5 stars (2012). Euro NCAP makes its tests tougher every few years, so ratings from different years aren't directly comparable.
›Should I buy the Ford Fiesta Mk7 or the Renault Clio IV?
The Ford Fiesta Mk7 comes out ahead, with the better MOT record and more performance; the Renault Clio IV is close on everything else. The comparison above sets out price, space, performance, safety, running costs and reliability side by side.
Sources: manufacturers' UK specifications and price lists and Euro NCAP (listed on each model's page); DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024 (Open Government Licence v3.0); Vehicle Certification Agency car fuel data, © Crown copyright, VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy; fuel prices from the GOV.UK Fuel Finder scheme. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each picture.