2005 Renault Grand Scenic Expression 1.6 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Disappointed, expensive, unreliable, and would not recommend

Faults:

Ignition coils went within 2 weeks of owning.

Track rod ends replaced at same time.

Dash display replaced due to fault resetting display every 2 minutes, before eventually giving up at 45k miles.

Brake discs needed replacing at 45k miles.

O/S rear window motor went at 50K miles.

N/S front window motor went at 52k miles.

Hand brake cable needed replacing at 52k miles.

Blower intermittent at 57k miles.

General Comments:

Once you buy it, you will need a bank balance of more than the value of the car. Very, very expensive to maintain.

My 1.6 model is seriously under powered compared to the diesel models.

The two seats at the back are too small for an adult, and even a child struggles for leg room.

When rear seats are in use, a double pushchair will not fit in the vehicle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 1st July, 2012

2005 Renault Grand Scenic Dynamique 1.6 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Good, reliable, cheap all rounder

Faults:

Coil pack failed at 55k; a common fault with most cars.

Hand brake cable failed at 59k, which meant we had to replace the whole electric hand brake at a cost of £550.

Digital instrument panel went blank at 60k. Dealer replaced at a reduced cost of £150.

General Comments:

We've owned this car for almost 3 years now, purchased second hand from an auction as a repo. Apart from the recent hand brake and digital dash failure, we have had trouble free motoring.

I know some of these cars come with their problems, but if you can get a good one, they represent fantastic value for money.

Our next one will be the new shape diesel, as the 1.6 petrol is a little heavy on fuel; we only seem to manage 31 MPG round town, and 36 MPG on long runs.

If you shop around, you can get a year old model for half the original list price, so it's worth considering the new Scenic rather than similar brands.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd February, 2012

2005 Renault Grand Scenic Expression 1.6 16v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Don't buy one, no matter how good a deal it seems; you will only have problems

Faults:

All of the below occurred within 18 months & 11500 miles:

Steering whine - dealer unable to resolve

Steering clunk on full lock - dealer resolved

Engine cutting out - dealer unable to resolve

Throttle sticking open - dealer unable to resolve

Brakes squeaking & grinding - dealer unable to resolve

Rear electric windows fell out - dealer resolved

3rd gear failed - dealer resolved

Engine mounts cracked - dealer resolved

Seat belt mounts failed - dealer resolved

Start button problems (clutch depression function did not work) - dealer resolved

Bottom end rattle on start up - dealer resolved

Metallic paint scratched & dulled with even the slightest touch - dealer unable to resolve

2nd row removable seat became impossible to put back in - dealer did not resolve

Glovebox light would not go out - dealer could not resolve

Rear door lock failed - dealer resolved

Drivers seat sagging badly after 5000 miles

General Comments:

On the face of it, a good family car, but unreliable and badly put together, with apparently inferior parts.

You are much better off going for a Vauxhall Zafira or a Citroen C4 Picasso if you need this type of car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th July, 2007

28th Sep 2007, 08:00

Our 2004 1.9dCi Dynamique has now racked up 42,000 miles and has only needed a replacement door handle and a new guide for the panoramic sunroof, both sorted with no hassles under warranty. A far more reliable car than our previous VW Golf!

28th Apr 2010, 13:55

We had a Renault Scenic... for us it was the WORST car we have ever owned it, spending more time in the garage than on the road. The dealership whom were also very poor (being polite) they also did not have a clue.

19th Nov 2010, 15:08

As someone who spent the first five years of my driving career in cars costing less than £500, I include all those wheezing, rusty heaps when I say that the (then) 3 year old, 2004 Grand Scenic I owned was the most unreliable, fault prone car I've ever owned.

Good looking cars, great diesel engines, and excellent practicality, but utter crap once they get to 3 years old. Never again.