Used Renault Clio IV (2012–19) vs Citroen C3 Mk3 (2016–24)
Figures updated
Shopping for a used supermini? We compare the Renault Clio IV (2012–2019) and Citroen C3 Mk3 (2016–2024), 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 Citroen C3 Mk3 comes out ahead, with the better MOT record; the Renault Clio IV is close on everything else.
- Their boots are much the same size: Renault Clio IV 300 litres, Citroen C3 Mk3 300 litres.
- Euro NCAP safety: Renault Clio IV 5 stars (2012), Citroen C3 Mk3 4 stars (2017). Ratings from different years aren't directly comparable, as the tests get tougher.
- The Citroen C3 Mk3 has the better MOT record for its age: the Citroen C3 Mk3 fails its MOT 14% more often than average for its age (21% of Citroen C3s built 2016–2021 failed first time in 2024, against 18% 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 Renault Clio IV: it fails on them 2.9 times as often as the average car.
- Watch the body and structure on a Citroen C3 Mk3: it fails on them 2.5 times as often as the average car.
| Figure | Renault Clio IVClio IV (2012–2019), 5-door hatchback | Citroen C3 Mk3Mk3 (2016–2024), 5-door hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Body | 5-door hatchback | 5-door hatchback |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| BootSeats up / folded | 300 litres / 1,146 | 300 litres / 922 |
| Length | 4,062mm | 3,996mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,732mm | 1,829mm |
| Height | 1,448mm | 1,474mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 75–120 PS (best) | 68–110 PS |
| 0–62mph | 9.0–15.4 sec (best) | 9.3–14.2 sec |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2012) | ★★★★★ (2017) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | – | Diesel, Petrol |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | – | 44.6–78.5 mpg |
| CO2 | – | 93–143 g/km |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.8p a litre, today's UK average | – | £1,167 (50.2 mpg) |
| Diesel198.4p a litre | – | £1,008 (67.1 mpg) |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | – | £1,008 (diesel) |
| Car tax, registered 2001 to 2017Taxed on CO2; newer cars pay a flat £200 | – | £20 to £325 |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 71Well below average | 79Well below average (best) |
| Failed first time, cars of this generation's ageUK rate for cars the same age in brackets | 39.6% (26.3%)built 2012–2019 | 21.1% (18.4%)built 2016–2021 (best) |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 42.9% | 35.3% (best) |
| Failed at 3 years old | 13.8% | 9.4% (best) |
| Failed at 5 years old | 24.5% | 16.8% (best) |
| Failed at 10 years old | 45.3% | 38.0% (best) |
| Most common MOT fault | Ball joint (8.1% of tests) | Stop lamp (4.5% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Steering (2.9×), Seat belts and airbags (2.0×) | Body and structure (2.5×), Steering (1.8×) |
| MOT tests analysed | 310,528 | 196,261 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Supermini | Supermini |
| Owners' average miles a year | 6,700 | 6,600 |
| On sale | 2012–2019 | 2016–2024 |
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 Renault Clio IV or Citroen C3 Mk3 more reliable?
The Citroen C3 Mk3. Compared with all cars the same age, the Citroen C3 Mk3 fails its MOT 14% 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: 21.1% of Citroen C3s built 2016–2021 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 Renault Clio IV or the Citroen C3 Mk3?
The Renault Clio IV is 66mm longer (4,062mm against 3,996mm). Their boots are much the same: 300 and 300 litres.
›Which is safer, the Renault Clio IV or the Citroen C3 Mk3?
Euro NCAP gave the Renault Clio IV 5 stars (2012) and the Citroen C3 Mk3 4 stars (2017). Euro NCAP makes its tests tougher every few years, so ratings from different years aren't directly comparable.
›Should I buy the Renault Clio IV or the Citroen C3 Mk3?
The Citroen C3 Mk3 comes out ahead, with the better MOT record; 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.