Suspension · 2026
Renault Clio coil spring cost
A coil spring on a Renault Clio typically costs £59–£180 per side fitted at a UK independent garage, or £109–£332 as an axle pair. The Clio has one of the better-documented front-spring breakage histories of any UK supermini — corrosion plus potholes snapping coils, with industry commentary naming it among the most-affected small cars. When one front spring goes, its partner is rarely far behind.
What suspension does the Renault Clio have?
The design decides the job: a spring on a strut means a strut-off, spring-compressor job, while separately-mounted springs can be quicker to swap. Here's the Clio's setup:
| Axle | Design |
|---|---|
Front | MacPherson strut with coil-over spring — a front spring is a strut-off compressor job on all generations. |
Rear | Torsion beam with separate coil springs and dampers — rear springs are simpler to change than fronts. |
Renault Clio coil spring replacement cost
One spring fitted typically costs £59–£180 at a UK independent garage, an axle pair £109–£332, and a full strut assembly (spring + shock together) £118–£359 per side. Springs are replaced in axle pairs as standard practice — uneven ride height fails the MOT.
Key things to know
- Front coil-spring breakage is a documented Clio pattern — owner forums carry long-running threads on snapped front springs, and industry commentary names the Clio among the European-built small cars most affected.
- With this model's history, garages commonly find the second front spring cracked or corroded when one has gone — axle pairs are the sensible quote.
- A snapped front spring can drop onto the tyre and cut it — a reason to stop driving, not book it in for next month.
- A worn strut top mount is often replaced with the spring while the strut is apart.
Good question
Questions Okay gets asked a lot
How much does a coil spring cost for a Renault Clio?
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Expect £59–£180 per side fitted at a UK independent garage in 2026, or £109–£332 for both sides of an axle — the usual recommendation, since uneven ride height fails the MOT and the second spring rarely lasts long after the first. If the shock absorber is worn or leaking, a full strut assembly runs £118–£359 per side. The spring itself is cheap; most of the bill is labour. Use our cost calculator to adjust for your region.
Are Renault Clios known for breaking springs?
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Yes — it's one of the model's best-documented faults. UK owner forums carry years of threads on snapped Clio front springs, and motoring-industry commentary has named the Clio among the European-built superminis most affected by coil-spring failure, alongside cars like the Fiesta. The mechanism is the standard UK one — salt corrodes the spring's coating, a pothole provides the final blow — but the Clio's springs seem to reach that point earlier than most. Practical advice: budget for front springs as a wear item on an older Clio, do them in pairs, and treat a bang-then-clunk from the front as urgent, since a dropped coil can slice the tyre.
How do I know a spring has broken on a Renault Clio?
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Often a loud bang or crack over a pothole or speed bump, then a knocking or clunking from that corner, a car sitting slightly lower or lopsided, and sometimes a tyre catching on full lock. Some breaks are silent — the first sign is the MOT tester finding the snapped coil. A broken spring is a Major MOT defect, and UK potholes plus salted winter roads are the main culprits. Get it checked promptly: a snapped coil can drop and cut the tyre.
Get a price for your Renault Clio
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