2005 Renault Clio V6 Phase 2

Number 201 of 1,309 cars built – only 354 of which were right-hand drive – ‘DY05 WBT’ has been in the seller’s care since July 2024.

Finished in the iconic hue of Iliad Blue with a grey half-leather interior, the seller took it on a 1,000-mile European road trip shortly after buying it, which he (obviously) thoroughly enjoyed.

It’s been in dry storage since and, with just 33,800 miles on the odometer, it’s little more than run-in.

However, he’s been careful to put regular heat cycles through it, and it’s just had its oil and filter changed.

Is that all? We hear you ask.

Well, given it’s only covered around 1,500 miles since being treated to significant mechanical expenditure that included a full service and much more in 2021, it simply hasn’t needed anything.

Few cars look as purposeful as the Clio V6, its humble hatchback roots being almost entirely eclipsed by four fat wheels and their swollen wheelarches, the roof spoiler and wide side skirts, the twin exhaust tailpipes and deep rear diffuser, and the tarmac-scraping front valence.

This one is in great shape too with shutlines that might have been drawn on with a Sharpie and no ripples or dents to mar its surface; taken in conjunction with the clear HPI report, we doubt it’s got any tales to tell.

The Iliad Blue paintwork has a very good shine to it too, and we can’t spot anything in the way of paint runs, orange peel, or microblistering just a deep, glossy finish that complements the car’s lines to perfection.

It’s not perfect though, but then which of us is?

The flaws we found include: A few minor dinks and stonechips to the bonnet; more stonechips to the nearside front wing plus a scratch and a small crack near the bumper; a chip on the offside of the rear spoiler plus a rusty chip to the tailgate; another chip to the trailing edge of the offside front wing; stonechips to both door mirrors; and a scratch and a small crack to the driver’s sill.

That sounds like a lot but a) we’re very pedantic because we know so many of you bid sight-unseen, and b) most of these could be remedied or improved very easily.

And it’s all good news from thereon in because the vast 18-inch alloy wheels are in a fine condition with no serious scuffs, scrapes, or other signs of careless parking. True the fastidious among you might like to buy new wheelnuts but by way of compensation the tyres are matching Michelin Pilot Sport 4 in 205/40ZR18 on the front and 245/40ZR18 on the rear. All have good tread.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

The black plastic ventilation grilles are in a fine condition, as are the badges. The lamp lenses are free of chips and cracks, and the glazing is free of scratches and stonechips. The rear window also boasts a wonderfully of-the-period Elf sticker, and the door mirrors casings are free of scuffs.

All-in-all this a very presentable example you could take anywhere while still offering its lucky new owner the opportunity to add value with every blemish they take care of.

The interior might be more modest than the coachwork but aren’t you glad Renault spent its money on the engineering?

Not that it is bad because it isn’t: The heavily bolstered Renault Sport seats grip you as firmly as you’d hope and are far more comfortable than you’d expect.

The gearknob falls nicely to hand, and the gaiter around it is made from an aesthetically-appealing suede-like material.

There are no rear seats of course, just that sodding great V6 engine and minimal soundproofing; you might moan about your kids whining but this is the sort of noise no-one has ever complained about – and should you ever get tired of the engine noise, you’ll be pleased to know that the original headunit and Renault-branded Alpine CD multichanger are still fitted.

The headlining is also taut and undamaged, the door cards are virtually unmarked, the carpets are excellent, and the marking on the switches and instruments is still vivid and vibrant.

The engine cover is in good shape too, with no cracks or warping, and there’s what might just be the world’s smallest boot between the engine and the tailgate. Hell, there’s even a comedy-small parcelshelf to keep your slimline briefcase safe from prying eyes, and a tool kit is strapped in the nearside corner.

There’s more (limited) storage space behind the seats, and both the netting that holds items in place and the elasticated pockets are still firm and springy.

The frunk might be small but it’s obviously more practical than you might think as the seller took his new-to-him Clio on a long European holiday. Lifting the black plastic liner out reveals the battery, some bracing, extensive pipework, clean metal panels, and a good view of the tarmac.

As is almost invariably the case, some of the hard plastic surfaces show light scratches, including the steering wheel’s centre hub and the transmission tunnel behind the driver’s seat. The steering wheel rim is also starting to bubble.

The driver’s seat has very light creases to the outer leather, a few bobbles on the textile centre, and an inch-long loss of colour to its outer edge. The outer edge of the passenger seat has some fine scratches to the outer backrest bolster too, plus a small area of colour loss.

The headlining has a few marks on it, the plastic around the radio has gone sticky, and the radio code is missing. A Renault dealer should be able to help you with the latter, and they could also, perhaps, supply a cigarette lighter to replace the one that’s gone missing.

Other than that, everything is present and correct and works as it should.

But then the Clio’s service and maintenance record is impressive: October 2021 saw it being serviced by SG Motorsport Services, and this work included fitting a new cambelt, waterpump, and drive belts, along with a new fuel filter, pollen filter, boot strut, wiper blades, and two new Michelin tyres.

*deep breath*

And, servicing the air-conditioning system, installing a new clutch, putting in fresh coolant and gearbox oil, and much, much more.

Little wonder then that the final bill came to £3,550 and, unsurprisingly, the Clio’s MoT certificate, which expires in May 2027, was issued with no advisories.

Something it’s been doing since 2021.

Stamps in the service history booklet also record the following earlier work:

· 17.10.2005 and 6,802 miles – service by Renault To Go

· 19.12.2006 – anti-corrosion check by Ware Garage

· 06.06.2007 and 12,576 miles – service by Renault Slough including the anti-corrosion check

· 10.06.2008 and 15,522 miles – service by North Herts High Performance including the anti-corrosion check

· 27.05.2009 and 15,581 miles – service by David Thomas Garages

· 27.07.2012 and 16,185 miles – service by Rentech Ltd including a new cambelt and waterpump

· 22.08.2014 and 24,020 miles – service by Rentech Ltd including fresh coolant and brake fluid and a pollen filter

· 20.08.2015 and 26,501 miles – service by Rentech Ltd including a pollen filter

· 03.08.2016 and 27,935 miles – service by Lifestyle Horley

As the video demonstrates, the V6 engine fires into life with surprising civility and idles quietly. There are no warning lights on the dashboard either, nor unexpected noises.

Things take a more dramatic turn when the needle flicks around the dial and obviously every drive is an event thanks to the backseat being full of that three-litre V6.

Crackles and roars are also just an ankle-flex away, and our test drive didn’t reveal anything untoward.

The underside looks strong and appears to have been well protected by underseal. There are some rusty fasteners of course, but no MoT tester has ever mentioned structural corrosion. That said, the Bosal exhaust is a bit rusty but it doesn’t appear to have corroded through.

We can’t spot any scuffs to the front or rear valences either, which is little short of a miracle given how low they hang.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and it comes with three keys.

The history file is replete with period brochures, the book pack and wallet, the stamped service history booklet, and some invoices.

With such a limited production run, the Phase 2 Renault Clio V6 is proving to be a good investment, with the price of the best examples having topped £45,000 a while ago, which is the lower end of our estimate.

At the upper end it may fetch £55,000 but as it is being offered with no reserve, it’ll be going to a new home after the very first bid has been placed.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.