Faults:

Passenger seat does not slide forward when tilted, to allow passengers in or out of the rear.

Airbag light has flicked on three or four times, but hasn't stayed on.

General Comments:

Highly, highly recommended. This car is excellent, I'm just "nit-picking" at faults above.

It is a dream to drive, very very quick and handles extremely well!

I can't think of a bad point about the car, every-time I get out of it I'm left with a smile on my face.

It's economical for the power it produces.

My experience with Renault Dealers however is a different story. Once the paperwork was signed and deposit paid The Dealer had no interest in repairing the scratches, sorting out the water in the front fog-lights or the passenger seat mentioned above, as agreed. It took three visits, at least eight phone calls and a threat to stop payments before the scratches and the fog-lights were fixed. (I gave up with the seat)

Having said all this I would strongly consider a new Clio 182 when I come to replace it, but from a different dealer!

Faults:

My car will not start on cold mornings when it does it fires on 1-2 cylinders until I apply the accelerator and it eventually stutters into life.

I have already had 2 ignition coil failures. £50 for a piece of plastic with some copper coiled inside it seems ridicules, I guess dealers know how to make money.

General Comments:

The Clio is a smart looking car, the interior is smart and sturdy.

My only concern is for anyone looking to buy this car to go fast in, the handling really isnt that good, I felt safer in my previous car and the tires were literally half as wide.

Don't get me wrong it grips, but I have never been in a front wheel drive car that has so much over steer. With the power on it goes deep into corners under steering like most FWD cars, but with the power off or under brakes it becomes twitchy and the ABS clearly cannot handle this.

In general a very good car, well equipped, trendy and surprisingly quick especially over 50mph in 4th or 5th gears.

Faults:

No headlamp washers in.

No cartridge in the CD changer.

Bald spare.

Needed new exhaust.

General Comments:

To start off with I was very happy with my car as I didn't really no what I was looking for when I bought it. someone pointed out straight away to me that all the things that I have mentioned were missing. I took the car back to the dealer and they sorted the faults out, so they were quite helpful. The car is back in the garage at the moment tho, getting a new exhaust on. All the things that were wrong on the car should have been corrected on the pre-inspection to me, taken the hand over of the vehicle. Apart from these faults I love the car. Its power is superb, being a 2 liter engine in such a small car does the trick. handles as well. happy with the sound system too. dealers have been alright when I have taken the car back (several times) but it should have all been done first time around in my opinion.

Faults:

Nothing, however there have been 2 recalls from Renault; one for a potential engine fault and the second for a potential wiring fault. Both issues resolved by very attentive and efficient dealership with exemplary speed.

General Comments:

Amazing acceleration for a diesel. Common rail technology does not only stop the car sounding like a tractor, it really gives a fast and smooth ride.

As a first car it also offers low insurance as well as smart, fashionable looks in pearlescent black.

Sport suspension and seats make the Clio feel solid, safe and comfortable on long journeys and the handling both urban and motorway is very responsive. You can through it around or just cruise; it sticks to the road no matter what.

Either way it averages over 55 mpg and that has to be a good deal.