Complete Car | Search Questions

Am I mental to go for an old Megane?

Am I mental to be looking at a 2003-09 Renault Megane? I have heard they are very unreliable, but I currently drive a 1999 Renault Clio and apart from minor items it has been trouble free. What's your view on the Megane?

Aaron Mullane (Dublin)

Dec 2015 Filed under: reliability

Expert answer

Hi Aaron,

I'd tread very carefully. Although the engines in the Megane II are pretty robust, any and all of its electrical and electronic systems are suspect to say the least, and the suspension is prone to failure too. Only buy if it has a seriously flawless service history and appears to be in perfect condition - and even then I'd be wary.

Toyota Auris or Renault Clio, with €10,000 to spend?

Hi, I am looking to buy a second hand car with a budget of €9000-10,000. I will be driving an average of 10,000 miles per year. I looked at a 2010 Toyota Auris petrol for €9,000, but have been told that this car is not very fuel efficient. I was looking at a 2014 Renault Clio petrol for €10,500, but again am unsure as to the fuel efficiency. Which of these two cars would you recommend and are there any others you could suggest that would be suitable for the mileage I will be doing and my price range?

Thanks

Louise Donovan (Limerick)

Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Louise,

You're looking at two very different cars - the Auris is considerably larger and more practical than the Clio, but both are actually pretty frugal. The 1.4 VVTi petrol or 1.33 VVTi petrol in the Auris is actually quite economical, as long as you drive it with reasonable care: 45mpg should be easily achieved in daily driving.

Tell me more about the 151 Renault Clio.

What is the price of 151 Renault Clio and does it have power steering? Do you have to turn on the lights manually?

Grace Griffin (Co. Dublin)

Oct 2015 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Grace,

Clio prices start from €15,730 and yes, they all have power steering. All models come with daytime running lights, which illuminate automatically, but if you want automatic, dusk-sensing headlights you'll have to upgrade to a €17,230 Dynamique Nav model.

Renault Clio review

What small new car should I go for?

I am thinking of trading in my 2011 Nissan Micra (it has an NCT until 2017) for either a new (152) car or a 142 model. The shortlist of cars are: Hyundai i10, Peugeot 208, Renault Clio and maybe the Toyata Yaris or Skoda Fabia. However, the new bigger Ford Ka is due by December 2015 in the UK and 2016 here. Should I wait for the Ka?

Jacqueline Lynch (Dublin)

Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Jacqueline,

I wouldn't wait for the Ka. It's being designed primarily for Asian and low-cost markets, so it probably won't be the most refined, comfortable or high-tech. That's perhaps jumping the gun on the review a bit, but it's certainly likely to be the case. Of the cars you've listed I'd say the Hyundai i10 and Skoda Fabia are the standouts. They're quite different cars (the i10 is significantly smaller than the Skoda), but both are excellent to drive, well-made, reliable and offer excellent value. Have a try of both, and see which one suits your needs, size-wise, better.

Further reading:

How much is this Renault Clio worth?

What is the approximate value of a 2008 Renault Clio with a 1.0-litre petrol engine. Mileage approx. 80,000km; NCT to 2016 and taxed to end of 2015. Seller says the value is €5,000.

Noelle Burke (Cork)

Feb 2015 Filed under: used car values

Expert answer

Hi Noelle,

The price seems about OK, but I think the engine has been misadvertised - the smallest engine for that generation of Clio was a 1.2.

Why does my Renault Clio keep failing its NCT?

I recently put a 1995 Renault Clio through an NCT test and it failed on the rear shock absorber, driver's side. Despite the car being 20 years old it only has 56k miles on the clock. In its very first test it had about 12,000 miles on the clock and it failed on the back shocks as well. In a subsequent test it also failed on rear shocks. The car is not being used for any heavy hauling and there is nothing unusual about its usage apart from it not being used very much that is!

This will be the third time the rear shocks require replacing. I am thinking that the problem is with the NCT test equipment and not the shock absorbers. What do you think?

C Clarken (Dunmanway)

Jan 2015 Filed under: NCT

Expert answer

Hi there,

I'm afraid to say it's very, very unlikely to be anything wrong with the NCT's equipment - Renaults of that era were not, ahem, the most robustly built vehicles and suspension issues with them were more or less endemic.

That said, if you've replaced the shocks already and the problem has reoccurred then there may be another issue. Perhaps the mounting points are at fault and are allowing too much energy up into the shock, causing it to wear prematurely? I think a thorough diagnostic visit to your nearest Renault dealer might be in order.

When did Renault begin charging extra for white?

Late in September I ordered a new Renault Clio for delivery at the beginning of this month. In early October I changed the colour to white, which was not a problem to the dealer. I was informed last week that it would not be available until the end of this month. Since then I've seen on the Renault website that they are now charging €540 extra for a white Clio, whereas when I placed my order the extra charge did not apply to white. However, as my original order was for a colour that carried the extra charge I would not be surprised if the dealer tried to hit me for this extra and consequently am wondering when precisely Renault introduced it.

Thanks, E K Dublin

Ed Kearney (Wexford)

Jan 2015 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Ed,

OK, we've been on to Renault about this and they say that the charge for Glacier White on the website was an error and has since been corrected, so you shouldn't be charged for it. If an extra charge does show up on the bill, give your dealer hell as it shouldn't be there. If he/she doesn't give you any joy, get on to Renault's head office about it.

Is this Renault Clio worth €4,800?

Is a 2006 Renault Clio hatchback with 49,000km on the clock a good buy at €4,800?

John O'brien (Cork)

Jan 2015 Filed under: used car values

Expert answer

Hi John,

It's OK but tread very warily. Renault build quality was pretty shaky in the early 2000s and by 2006 the problem was only beginning to get sorted out. The upside is that the Clio is mechanically pretty simple, so there's a bit less to go wrong, but make sure everything electrical is free from gremlins and pay particular attention to the suspension - the Clio can be pretty fragile in that department so listen for untoward noises from under the car (creaks, bumps, banging etc) and check the top of the suspension mounts for any signs of damage or repair.

How reliable is the Renault Clio?

Aidan Mullins (Cork)

Dec 2014 Filed under: reliability

Expert answer

Hi Aidan,

More recent Clios, the current and just-replaced models for instance, would have decent reliability, but anything dating back before 2005 we'd have concerns over. Older Renaults are all too often bad news. If it's a 2005-2013 model you're looking at, make sure you carefully check brakes, suspension and anything electric for faults.

Renault Clio or SEAT Ibiza?

Which car would you recommend between the new 2013 model Renault Clio (1.2-litre) or the new 2013 model SEAT Ibiza (1.2-litre)?

Brid McCabe (Dublin)

Jan 2014 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Brid,

Both are pretty good actually, but the nice thing about the Ibiza is that SEATs tend to be exceptionally reliable and solidly built so it's probably the best choice.

The only thing I would say is that the SEAT can be quite noisy on a long journey so if you're doing regular big mileage the much more refined Clio is well worth a look.

Let us know which way you go