Used MINI Hatch F56 (2014–24) vs Renault Clio IV (2012–19)
Figures updated
Shopping for a used supermini? We compare the MINI Hatch F56 (2014–2024) 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
Pick the MINI Hatch F56 for the better MOT record and more performance, or the Renault Clio IV for the bigger boot.
- The Renault Clio IV has the biggest boot: 300 litres, 89 more than the MINI Hatch F56.
- Euro NCAP safety: MINI Hatch F56 4 stars (2014), Renault Clio IV 5 stars (2012). Ratings from different years aren't directly comparable, as the tests get tougher.
- The MINI Hatch F56 has the better MOT record for its age: the MINI Hatch F56 fails its MOT 27% less often than average for its age (15% of MINI Hatches built 2014–2021 failed first time in 2024, against 21% 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 exhaust and emissions on a MINI Hatch F56: it fails on them 1.4 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 | MINI Hatch F56F56 (2014–2024), 3-door hatchback | Renault Clio IVClio IV (2012–2019), 5-door hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Body | 3-door hatchback | 5-door hatchback |
| Seats | 4 | 5 (best) |
| BootSeats up / folded | 211 litres / 731 | 300 litres / 1,146 (best) |
| Length | 3,821mm | 4,062mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,727mm | 1,732mm |
| Height | 1,414mm | 1,448mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 95–231 PS (best) | 75–120 PS |
| 0–62mph | 6.1–11.0 sec (best) | 9.0–15.4 sec |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2014) | ★★★★★ (2012) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Diesel, Electric, Petrol | – |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 41.5–83.1 mpg | – |
| CO2 | 89–147 g/km | – |
| Electric range | 180–239 miles | – |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.8p a litre, today's UK average | £1,308 (44.8 mpg) | – |
| Diesel198.4p a litre | £887 (76.3 mpg) | – |
| Electric, charged at home26.3p per kWh standard tariff | £438 (5 mi/kWh) | – |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £438 (electric) | – |
| Car tax, registered 2001 to 2017Taxed on CO2; newer cars pay a flat £200 | £20 to £445 | – |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 113Above average (best) | 71Well below average |
| Failed first time, cars of this generation's ageUK rate for cars the same age in brackets | 15.1% (20.7%)built 2014–2021 (best) | 39.6% (26.3%)built 2012–2019 |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 24.7% (best) | 42.9% |
| Failed at 3 years old | 10.8% (best) | 13.8% |
| Failed at 5 years old | 12.7% (best) | 24.5% |
| Failed at 10 years old | 23.3% (best) | 45.3% |
| Most common MOT fault | Position lamp (3.9% of tests) | Ball joint (8.1% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Exhaust and emissions (1.4×) | Steering (2.9×), Seat belts and airbags (2.0×) |
| MOT tests analysed | 630,667 | 310,528 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Supermini | Supermini |
| Owners' average miles a year | 6,500 | 6,700 |
| On sale | 2014–2024 | 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 MINI Hatch F56 or Renault Clio IV more reliable?
The MINI Hatch F56. Compared with all cars the same age, the MINI Hatch F56 fails its MOT 27% less 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: 15.1% of MINI Hatches built 2014–2021 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 MINI Hatch F56 or the Renault Clio IV?
The Renault Clio IV is 241mm longer (4,062mm against 3,821mm). The Renault Clio IV has the bigger boot: 300 litres against 211.
›Which is safer, the MINI Hatch F56 or the Renault Clio IV?
Euro NCAP gave the MINI Hatch F56 4 stars (2014) 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 MINI Hatch F56 or the Renault Clio IV?
Pick the MINI Hatch F56 for the better MOT record and more performance, or the Renault Clio IV for the bigger boot. 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.