Faults:

The model has an issue with engine ignition coils. Due to a design error these have the tendency to cause the engine to shudder from time to time. This can either occur on startup (spluttering) or even cause a sudden loss of power while driving. Although it is something you can live with (as the shuddering generally lasts seconds) it could be both embarrassing and possibly even dangerous if on a motorway.

Although original parts can be costly (around 60 euros per coil, and bought in a set of 4) there are cheaper replacement parts - but their reliability is as yet unconfirmed.

General Comments:

I exchanged my Twingo for a Clio, and then the Clio for the Scenic (for my dog to have more room). I am a Renault fan and will continue to buy from the French manufacturer.

This car is amazingly practical, superbly comfortable, and only around 1cm longer than the sedan Megane.

The 1.6 16v engine is surprisingly strong (good torque), while economy isn't so bad considering the size & weight of the vehicle (36mpg).

Visibility is very good, and even my wife loves it - who generally doesn't like Renaults. The car also has an infinite number of cubby holes (dashboard, under all 5 seats, boot area and floorboard), while the boot takes large items and is low-loading (good on the back).

Faults:

Engine has started running on 3 cylinders below 2000 revs. renault liverpool dealer wanted £75 for 4 spark plugs.the plugs in the car are only 3000 miles old, replaced at the last service (32,000miles)

General Comments:

Very comfortable car, but very unreliable.

Faults:

When the car had only done 30 000 kilometers I had to replace the clutch as oil had leaked onto it. Despite the car being under warranty we had to pay part of the replacement as classed as a usable part.

Twice the catalytic converter has been replaced.

Latest problem is with the rear transmission which is going to cost 1000Euros to replace!

Petrol cap broke and cost 50euros for replacement, not including time. When at the garage to collect part there were two other RX4 owners waiting to collect their broken petrol caps too!

General Comments:

We have had nothing, but problems with this model and Renault just don't want to know about it.

Faults:

Had the car around a year, the garage-supplied warranty expired, with no real problems (apart from the high level brake light unit that was loose).

However, come July 2005, I had a serious engine problem happen... twice.

I was driving along one Saturday afternoon when all of a sudden the car started revving itself up uncontrollably - at first I thought the pedal had stuck to the floor, but what had actually happened was that the turbo had leaked oil into the top of the engine, and then head gasket had blown aswell.

This was repaired (dTi engine from a scrapyard £900 inc VAT, garage labour £400 inc VAT) then, a week after having it back, it happened again!!!

The car had been leaking oil over the past few days since having it back (monitored via garage floor marks, and the dipstick) and the Monday morning I got into the car, and the "check oil" reminder came up - on the dipstick, it was right down to the bottom of the little ball on the end.

I topped it up, and went about my business - then the engine started revving uncontrollably...

The same thing happened as before - the engine was hydraulically locked, and the turbo had blown.

The garage tried to tell me that I'd overfilled the engine - if this is how the 1.9 dTi engine responds to overfilling (when any other engine would just burn it off) then BEWARE.

General Comments:

In general, I was very happy with this car, in particular the raised driving position.

In addition, it returned 53 mpg (average over a tank-load when I did mainly motorway miles, going steady at 60 mph).