Divided opinions on the reliability of older Renault Scenics

[Ziggyplayed]

I've been trying to research info on the reliability of older Renault Scenics as I'm considering buying a 2004 1.5 Diesel 64,000 miles , 12 months MOT and I'm probably more confused now then when I started! Different websites and older posts on this forum vary from don't touch with a barge pole to reasonably reliable.

The reliability index for 2003 - 2009 ( from memory) gives an index of 71 ( for all models) which if I'm interpreting it right isn't brilliant but neither is it tragic ? It is I think clear that reliability improved from 2009 on when index drops to 41.

I didn't even know the MOT check site existed until last week but then spent further hours researching typical repair costs of things I've never heard of like pivot/ ball joint thingys - but good learning because it stopped me buying some expensive advisories.

I would appreciate any member opinions / experiences on reliability of above model.

I also wonder if my dilemma/ ignorance which I'm sure is shared by the majority of used car buyers presents a business opportunity for experienced Pistonheads ? Take a buyers budget, buying criteria and region and charge for selecting a given number of vehicles that best meets their needs?

[littlebasher]

Just look at ones for sale as 'spares or repair' for a good cross section.

IMO, the main issues you'll see are;

Electric handbrake failures (no cheap solution to that)
Dodgy electric windows (either the module or the mechanism, both easy to fix)
Failed LCD units
Dephaser pulleys (expensive) and coil packs (cheap) on the petrols

Petrol and Diesel - Failed cambelts, although wouldn't be an issue if people changed them when they're supposed to.

I don't think they're worse than anything else of the same age these days tbh.

[Hub]

It's an old Renault from a period where they were pretty poor on reliability, so it will be a gamble. Work on the basis that it should be cheap enough for a year or so motoring and if you get through you'll be lucky - but 14 year old corroded and ropey electrics and diesel engine issues like the EGR could have you tearing your hair out and writing off the car.

[Pericoloso]

Bloke I worked with said his wouldn't start until the passenger door was slammed.
Don't know what age it was.

[anonymous-user]

At 14 years old, any scenic still going will have been one of the reliable ones.
However..

At 14 years old, any scenic still going will require a load of work to keep it going unless it's just being used as a shed.

Not sure what you're expecting from a vehicle 3 years older than the first iphone

[Deep Thought]

littlebasher said:

Just look at ones for sale as 'spares or repair' for a good cross section.

IMO, the main issues you'll see are;

Electric handbrake failures (no cheap solution to that)
Dodgy electric windows (either the module or the mechanism, both easy to fix)
Failed LCD units
Dephaser pulleys (expensive) and coil packs (cheap) on the petrols

Petrol and Diesel - Failed cambelts, although wouldn't be an issue if people changed them when they're supposed to.

I don't think they're worse than anything else of the same age these days tbh.

Thats pretty much my understanding of them. We used to see them quite a lot when i was motor trading.

I'd no particular issues with them - i wouldnt touch one with a failed electronic handbrake, and anything else on that list we just made sure the buying price reflected the work needing done.

For very old cars now though a dephaser pulley is probably 50-75% of the value of the car, so hard to justify replacing unless you're getting the car for scrap money.

Its also interesting how many we used to see with low miles, but no history - most like that had had a new LCD head unit fitted at some point under warranty and of course the subsequent owners rarely declared this...

[Ziggyplayed]

What I'm urgently looking for is something to get me through the next 12 months without any big bills with decent mpg & low insurance costs - after that scrap or maintain depending how it runs.

I saw a 2002 Seat Alto that more than ticked all those boxes last week but was the saddest looking & driving ( low power) car I've ever come across .

My best bargain banger was in the mid 90's - £100 quid ' old mans car' Vauxhall viva , bright yellow with black vinyl roof ( before vintage was considered cool) 3 good years out of that one before I upgraded to used Fiesta - engine seized on motorway 6 weeks later.

[Deep Thought]

Ziggyplayed said:

What I'm urgently looking for is something to get me through the next 12 months without any big bills with decent mpg & low insurance costs - after that scrap or maintain depending how it runs.

I saw a 2002 Seat Alto that more than ticked all those boxes last week but was the saddest looking & driving ( low power) car I've ever come across .

My best bargain banger was in the mid 90's - £100 quid ' old mans car' Vauxhall viva , bright yellow with black vinyl roof ( before vintage was considered cool) 3 good years out of that one before I upgraded to used Fiesta - engine seized on motorway 6 weeks later.

Vauxhall Zafira is your friend. If you are doing the miles then a 2.0dti with a years mot. My perrsonal preference though is the 1.8i petrol. Cheap as chips but very versatile.

[HTP99]

Generally pre facelift (2006 onwards), they can be very hit and miss, you can get a great one, you can get an appalling one.

I would look at a facelift one, so 2006 onwards, they are far superior in build and reliability and generally fine.

[anonymous-user]

Deep Thought said:

Its also interesting how many we used to see with low miles, but no history - most like that had had a new LCD head unit fitted at some point under warranty and of course the subsequent owners rarely declared this...

Virtually every phase one Scenic will have had the dash replaced or repaired at some point. Unfortunately if it has been replaced by Renault the mileage will have been zeroed. I would be very suspicious of any low mileage phase 1, check the MOT history and I bet it has done double the mileage in reality.

In my family we have a 53 1.9 Dci, 08 1.5 Dci and an 07 Megane 1.5 Dci. As has already been said, the phase one cars suffer from all sorts of electrical issues, the phase two cars are massively better. From memory the 53 Plate has suffered from :

Unrecognised Keycards (the solder on the transmitter breaks inside the card, only fix is to cut them open)
Handbrake Fault
Heater motor speed (The thermister burns out, needs an uprated wiring harness and thermister. Very tricky with the dash in)
Windows stop working (replace the regulator)
Steering Fault (fitted a second hand steering column, keep the steering lock as it is coded)
Dash Fault (flashes and the radio stops working, can be fixed for around £150)
Tyre pressure monitors (admittedly broken by the tyre fitter!)

To be honest the 1.9 DCi is much faster than the 1.5 and not that much worse on fuel.

The phase two cars (06 on I think, difference is the grills are angled as opposed to level) are much better, all of the electrical issues have been solved. Definitely go for a phase 2, it is a massively better built car.

One thing they all suffer from is blocked drain holes under the scuttle. The car then fills with water and is effectively ruined as there are all sorts of electrics under the carpets. Open the front underfloor cubby bins and check for moisture, if there is any water walk away. If you buy one your first job should be to clear the drain holes which involves removing the black plastic surround under the screen. To do this you really need to remove the wiper arms so mark their place on screen with a piece of masking tape.

I have done 14k miles this year in my 07 Dci Megane without a single issue and easily getting no less that 55 MPG (best is an indicated 72). The Scenic is a little worse on fuel but they are a bigger and more comfortable drive.

If I needed a car tomorrow I wouldn't hesitate in buying one. Any questions or if you want me to have a look over the mot history message me the reg.

[Monkeylegend]

We are on our third, all 1.6 petrol and the only significant issues we have had is as mentioned the heater motor on the first two, a 1999 and a 2002. We took both those to 150k ish miles until rust got the better of them.

Our current 2003 we paid £1100 for 4 years ago, the insurance has just been renewed for £108 fully comp, it does 39 mpg, we have had no electrical faults, everything works, nothing has broken, and is currently on 92k miles.

We are playing cambelt roulette, it's not worth spending £450 on, but they are not all unreliable with shoddy electrics.

We have an MOT and oil /filter once a year and apart from brake pads, discs and a couple of windscreen wiper blades that's it.