If you had not already bought the Clio then the Focus would be best in my view. However whether it makes sense to ditch/resell the Clio to buy another old-ish car isn't such a clear matter. If the cars you ae looking at are not known to you it looks to me you could just be exchanging one set of problems for another. Or do you have particular reasons to trust the new cars over the existing one? As for safety they are much if a muchness at that age but the Ford may have the edge given its better build. Unless there are other factors not in your post I'd stick with the car you've got.

Why would you complain about a Clio and then look at a Megane?

It doesn't take much Gooling to come up with this ....

"The Renault Megane is the UK's least reliable popular car, according to secret MOT data revealed by the Department of Transport today."

.... as soon as I fix one thing something else goes. Wiper motor, window regulator and now it needs a CV joint.

Nine years old, and that is all? At least those are small failures. You could be on a money chase if you keep swopping old cars. They are transitory things, especially when bought as training vehicles for learners.

Keep it running unless it gets seriously expensive.

"Daughter is learning in a 2013 Clio diesel and just cannot get used to the jerkiness of driving a petrol Clio."

I think that's more to do with the particular clutch in the Clio you've bought than a diesel/petrol contrast.

Blimey, that's a coincidence!

We bought our daughter a 2007 Clio 1.2 petrol to learn to drive on (and then run) a couple of months back.

As well as me taking her out in the Clio she's also now getting lessons in....wait for it! a new model Clio Diesel (you're not having rib eye steak and a bottle of Rioja tonight as well are you?).

Seriously though, we are finding the Clio to be a good car, yes the bite point is a little high on the clutch but it's safe, easy to drive, good visibility, the 1.2 engine is perky and economical and so far it's been reliable.

Like other posters here I'm guessing that with any sub £2000, 8/9 y/o car problems such as you describe are a fact of life (probably be our turn to curse and swear soon!)

Hope the lessons go well.