Used Volkswagen Polo Mk5 (2009–17) vs Renault Clio IV (2012–19)
Figures updated
Shopping for a used supermini? We compare the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 (2009–2017) 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
Pick the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 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, 20 more than the Volkswagen Polo Mk5.
- The Volkswagen Polo Mk5 has the better MOT record for its age: the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 fails its MOT 7% more often than average for its age (34% of Volkswagen Polos built 2009–2017 failed first time in 2024, against 32% 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 Volkswagen Polo Mk5: it fails on them 1.6 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 | Volkswagen Polo Mk5Mk5 (2009–2017), 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 | 280 litres / 952 | 300 litres / 1,146 (best) |
| Length | 3,970mm | 4,062mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,682mm | 1,732mm |
| Height | 1,462mm | 1,448mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 60–192 PS (best) | 75–120 PS |
| 0–62mph | 6.7–16.1 sec (best) | 9.0–15.4 sec |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2009) | ★★★★★ (2012) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Diesel, Petrol | – |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 47.1–76.3 mpg | – |
| CO2 | 97–140 g/km | – |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.7p a litre, today's UK average | £994 (58.9 mpg) | – |
| Diesel198.4p a litre | £910 (74.3 mpg) | – |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £910 (diesel) | – |
| Car tax, registered 2001 to 2017Taxed on CO2; newer cars pay a flat £200 | £20 to £410 | – |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 87Below average (best) | 71Well below average |
| Failed first time, cars of this generation's ageUK rate for cars the same age in brackets | 34.2% (31.9%)built 2009–2017 (best) | 39.6% (26.3%)built 2012–2019 |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 32.9% (best) | 42.9% |
| Failed at 3 years old | 11.8% (best) | 13.8% |
| Failed at 5 years old | 19.9% (best) | 24.5% |
| Failed at 10 years old | 34.3% (best) | 45.3% |
| Most common MOT fault | Pins and bushes (3.1% of tests) | Ball joint (8.1% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Steering (1.6×), Body and structure (1.5×) | Steering (2.9×), Seat belts and airbags (2.0×) |
| MOT tests analysed | 600,518 | 310,528 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Supermini | Supermini |
| Owners' average miles a year | 6,700 | 6,700 |
| On sale | 2009–2017 | 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 Volkswagen Polo Mk5 or Renault Clio IV more reliable?
The Volkswagen Polo Mk5. Compared with all cars the same age, the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 fails its MOT 7% 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: 34.2% of Volkswagen Polos built 2009–2017 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 Volkswagen Polo Mk5 or the Renault Clio IV?
The Renault Clio IV is 92mm longer (4,062mm against 3,970mm). The Renault Clio IV has the bigger boot: 300 litres against 280.
›Which is safer, the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 or the Renault Clio IV?
Euro NCAP gave the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 5 stars (2009) 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 Volkswagen Polo Mk5 or the Renault Clio IV?
Pick the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 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.