NO RESERVE: 2005 RENAULTSPORT CLIO 182 TROPHY

This 2005 Renaultsport Clio 182 Trophy is a subtly modified example of the lauded hot hatch, finished in Capsicum Red and supported by an extensive history file. Under the bonnet sits a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated inline-four engine producing 180bhp, coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox. The odometer currently indicates 107,003 miles from new.

First registered in October 2005, this is car number 393 of just 500 examples produced for the UK market, and has been cherished by its current keeper for the last six years.

The bodywork remains in good order, with flush shut lines and no suggestion of any prior accidents. Its Capsicum Red paintwork is believed to be almost all original, though the vendor reports that a small parking scrape on the offside rear corner was repaired in July 2019. The car now presents with some peeling of the lacquer on the bottom of the front bumper, some stone chips around the front bumper and bonnet, and a small patch of bubbling under the paintwork near the offside headlight.

Overall, this Clio presents as a car that has been driven and enjoyed as intended, but it is certainly presentable enough to use as a fun daily driver or a weekend toy. The vendor has pointed out a small area of flaking paint on the nearside rear arch, as shown in the image gallery, and some minor scratches and swirl marks. The vehicle rides on the original 16-inch alloy wheels, which are in good order, showing only small grazes around the rims.

The car is fitted with a few modifications, which include adjustable rear Koni shock absorbers supplied by Mark Fish Motorsport – in lieu of the hard-to-find genuine OE Sachs dampers – as well as a Scorpion RS192 exhaust system, which is currently fitted with a decat pipe, though the vendor notes the original catalytic converter is included in the sale. The front brake callipers are from the Renaultsport Clio 200 and were fitted in 2014, though again, the original callipers will also be supplied with the car.

Moving inside, the factory Recaro seats remain in good order, with just some light age-related wear. Its steering wheel was professionally re-trimmed in June 2014, to rectify the common plastic deterioration that these Clios suffer from, and still looks superb. The vendor has reported some chipping and flaking of the black finish around the heater controls, though all the buttons and switches remain in good order. Equipment includes air-conditioning and cruise control, while the original radio is still fitted. The vendor reports no electrical faults or warning lights.

The last service was undertaken in January 2020 at 104,667 miles, where Renault specialist Two Techs in Kent changed the engine oil, filter and spark plugs, before installing new front lower suspension arms and bushes, as well as a new cam belt, auxiliary belt, dephaser pulley and water pump. Prior to this, in January 2019 at 101,648 miles, the car underwent a minor service, receiving fresh oil and filters as well as a new air-conditioning condenser. A summary of the maintenance history since 2010 is included below.

The most recent MOT test was on 17 September 2020, which resulted in a pass with two advisories to monitor worn rear brake pads and rear tyres. The vehicle initially failed a week earlier due to worn front tyres and brake discs, incorrectly sized number plates and a missing catalytic converter. The vendor notes these were rectified or refitted and the car passed on a re-test.

Journalist Andrew Frankel revisited the Clio 182 Trophy for Autocar magazine in 2016, and said it was “shockingly capable and shockingly good fun”. The vendor reports that this car is in great mechanical condition given its extensive maintenance during his ownership.

The vehicle rides on Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 tyres all round, in the correct fitment of 205/45 R16. The vendor reports the fronts were fitted in September 2020 at 106,390 miles, while the rears were fitted in December 2015 at 87,500 miles.

Accompanying the vehicle are the original Renault user guides, along with a folder of MOT certificates and extensive maintenance history dating back to September 2010, or 34,507 miles. Unfortunately, the original service book has been misplaced, but evidently the car has had a lot of work over the last decade.

This Renaultsport Clio 182 Trophy is a good example of the acclaimed Gallic hot hatch, presented in sound cosmetic condition, which also runs and drives superbly. Fitted with a few discerning upgrades, this Clio 182 Trophy is a car to drive as intended rather than squirrel away in a collection, and is ready to impress on the next owner’s favourite B-roads.

Summary of maintenance history (2010 onwards):

• 1/9/2010 - 34507 - Minor service, new front pads and discs
• 24/9/2011 - 47972 - Major service; new cambelt and spark plugs
• 20/10/2012 - 54194 - Oil service
• 21/5/2014 - 77280 - New Mark Fish adjustable Koni rear dampers
• 14/8/2014 - 79584 - Install Clio 200 front caliper upgrade
• 30/1/2015 - 82616 - Major service; new cambelt, aux belt and dephaser pulley; new spark plugs
• 21/6/2015 - New rear pads, discs, bearings and ABS rings
• 21/10/2015 - 86683 - New front pads, new alternator
• 19/2/2016 - 88188 - Minor service; oil and filter change
• 25/10/2016 - 91701 - Replaced cracked O/S/R ABS hub
• 27/1/2017 - 93094 - Minor service; oil and filters
• 19/10/2017 - 97347 - Stripped, powdercoated, serviced and rebuilt front shocks; new O/S top engine mount; new O/S/R brake caliper
• 9/2/2018 - 99390 - Minor service, oil flush and fuel treatment, oil change, oil and pollen filters
• 25/1/2019 - 101648 - Minor service; oil, filters; New A/C condenser
• 17/1/2020 - 104677 - Major service; new cambelt, aux belt, dephaser pulley, water pump; new O/S/F and N/S/F lower suspension arms
• 17/9/2020 - 106390 - New front pads and discs, new front tyres, O/S/F driveshaft

The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence through HPI checks and MOT history where available. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.