Before you buy a used Renault Clio (III).
Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.
The essentials.
- 3 documented, sourced faults across its 5 engines.
- 1 of them depends on the equipment or the production date: ask what this car has.
- 3 official recalls on record: ask for the chassis number (VIN) and confirm they have been done.
- According to the data we have, the engines with the fewest documented faults are: 1.2 16V (D4F) (Petrol), 1.2 TCe (D4Ft) (Petrol), 1.4 / 1.6 16V (K4J / K4M) (Petrol), 2.0 16V RS (F4R) (Petrol).
Typical faults by engine
The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.
All versions
Sheets the catalogue links to all 5 of its engines.
- Suspension, lights, brakes and valve collets on the Clio IIIKnown weak points
- Period mentioned
- 2005–2013
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Applies if: Weak points of this model from inspections, breakdown statistics and recalls; anything specific to one engine is stated in the sheet.
1.2 16V (D4F) · 1.2 TCe (D4Ft) · 1.4 / 1.6 16V (K4J / K4M) · 2.0 16V RS (F4R)
Petrol
We have no faults specific to this engine, only those common to every version.
1.5 dCi (K9K)
Diesel
- 1.5 dCi pump and injectors with Delphi systemInjection / turbo
- Period mentioned
- Approx. 2001–2011
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
- 1.5 dCi timing belt or pulley failureTiming system
- Period mentioned
- 2009–2011
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Which engine has the fewest documented faults?
| Engine | Documented faults | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2 16V (D4F)PetrolFewest documented | 11 with conditions | 3 |
| 1.2 TCe (D4Ft)PetrolFewest documented | 11 with conditions | 3 |
| 1.4 / 1.6 16V (K4J / K4M)PetrolFewest documented | 11 with conditions | 3 |
| 2.0 16V RS (F4R)PetrolFewest documented | 11 with conditions | 3 |
| 1.5 dCi (K9K)Diesel | 31 with conditions | 3 |
According to the data we have, the engines with the fewest documented faults are: 1.2 16V (D4F) (Petrol), 1.2 TCe (D4Ft) (Petrol), 1.4 / 1.6 16V (K4J / K4M) (Petrol), 2.0 16V RS (F4R) (Petrol).
By fuel type, the one with the fewest documented faults is: Petrol.
We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.
Official recalls: ask before you pay
A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.
- Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
- Ask an official Renault dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
- Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Renault brake recalls (2000–2014)Brakes
How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; inspect and replace, reprogram or correct the part named in the recall.
View full entryRenault engine, injection and accelerator recalls (2001–2013)Powertrain and engine management
How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; inspect and replace, reprogram or correct the part named in the recall.
View full entryOther Renault recalls: tyres, body, gearbox and electrics (2000–2014)Bodywork
How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; inspect and replace, reprogram or correct the part named in the recall.
View full entryOn the test drive: what to look and listen for
Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.
0 of 3 checked
Injection / turbo
Look out for: Injection warning, jerking, rough idle, loss of power, smoke and sometimes a no-start.
Ask them to check: Read the codes (e.g. P0087, low rail pressure) and look for filings in the diesel filter. If the circuit is contaminated, replace pump, rail and injectors and clean the tank and lines.
Timing system
Look out for: Noise or squeal around the belts; if the timing belt breaks, the engine stops suddenly and can be badly damaged.
Ask them to check: Keep to the timing-belt interval and always replace the full kit (belt, rollers and pulleys); check the auxiliary belt and its pulley.
Known weak points
Look out for: Knocks from the front axle and vague steering, broken shock absorbers, failing lights, heavy brake wear and a weak handbrake; up to 2008, flat batteries, crankshaft sensors and coils.
Ask them to check: Check the campaigns by VIN (especially the 1.2 valve one); check the front axle, lights and brakes.
OBD codes worth looking for
If they let you read the fault memory with an OBD reader, these are the codes mentioned in this model's sheets:
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.
- 1.5 dCi pump and injectors with Delphi system
- 1.5 dCi timing belt or pulley failure
- Suspension, lights, brakes and valve collets on the Clio III
- Renault brake recalls (2000–2014)
- Renault engine, injection and accelerator recalls (2001–2013)
- Other Renault recalls: tyres, body, gearbox and electrics (2000–2014)
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