Faults:

1 x brake shoe locked within 1 week.

Everything was fine for a full year, until this year (my car gets a full service every year - not abused).

1 x wheel bearing replaced (rear pass side)

1 x head gasket + water pump + timing belt and thermostat

1 x wheel bearing replaced (rear drivers side)

1 x full coil pack

1 x rattle on the sunroof (common fault)

Now has an oil leak coming from the spark plug seal (not inside the plug cylinder, but from the plug seal where it meats the rocker cover). Spits oil out under pressure, but not on tick over.

General Comments:

Bought the car due to it being cheap to run.

Nope - spent more repairing the car than what I would save.

Would never buy a Renault again, and have advised everybody I know not too.

What bugs me is Renault sent me a letter saying that there is a potential safety issue with the bonnet catch, and they would look at it free of charge. LOL.

What about all the other faults!!!

Faults:

Sun roof handle rattle (replaced under warranty - a common fault) - Listen out for this during a test drive!

General Comments:

Generally, very impressed. The Clio is a small car, with a big car feel. Ideal for the first car.

Interior on the Expression - generally good quality and a nice bright feel - unlike some of the other interiors in the range (such as the Authentique and Dynamique, despite the latter being the top of the range model).

Engine is well designed and offers good performance for its size. Service intervals are well spaced - ideal for keeping costs down.

Air Conditioning works well. Definitely recommended if you can find a Clio with AC.

Generally a good driving position, and all controls are easily reached and are easy to use. Stereo on the Expression can be controlled by a steering wheel "satellite" - controls just behind the wheel.

Power steering on the 1.2 16v engine is electronic - powered by an electronic motor rather than a hydraulic pump; meaning no power steering fluid to top up; and the system doesn't take power from the engine (ideal for parking, etc).

I genuinely enjoy driving the Clio. I have not had to do anything with the car except have it serviced (recommend - ask for Fully Synthetic engine oil if you have the car serviced by an independent garage).

I have heard of these cars being plagued with engine problems - several friends have these - just check the log book, and try and go for a car with "1 lady owner".

The Clio really doesn't deserve all the bad press - it's a great little car, and I'd recommend one to anyone.

Faults:

Since buying the Renault Clio 1.5dci (mark 2) I have had two main (annoying problems).

First of all, the clock won't show up on the dash. It only appears when the lights are on or the radio. I just can't figure out why the damn thing has gone out, and neither can anyone else (any help out there on this one? Answers on a postcard please).

And number two is probably the most common problem for Clio drivers out there. The bloody annoying sunroof! It rattles and creaks all the time. It makes driving frustrating and I sometimes can't wait to get out of the car. I contacted Renault about this problem, but they fobbed me off politely saying there wasn't a recall because of this. All I wanted to know was if other drivers had mentioned it to them. And after reading this, I can only guess that many 100s will have.

General Comments:

Great economy on the diesel.

Bit creaky and noisy.

Clios generally plagued with problems (i.e. the bonnet catch problem with mark II's)