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Before you buy a used Renault Scénic (I).

2000–2003 · Petrol / Diesel · 3 engines

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.

Renault Scénic (I), real photo of this generation
DieselFordMondeo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Photo source

The essentials.

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 3 of its engines.

  • Oil leaks, clutch and water pump on the first-generation MéganeKnown weak points
    Period mentioned
    1996–2003
    Mileage mentioned
    What the sheet says: Engine or gearbox oil leaks, a clutch worn out before 100,000 km, leaking shock absorbers, a leaking water pump and a rusty exhaust; light and rear-brake faults.

    Applies if: The Scénic I is derived from the Mégane I and shares its engines and mechanics.

1.4 / 1.6 16V (K4J / K4M) · 2.0 16V (F4R) · 1.9 dTi / dCi (F9Q)

1.4 / 1.6 16V (K4J / K4M) (Petrol) · 2.0 16V (F4R) (Petrol) · 1.9 dTi / dCi (F9Q) (Diesel)

We have no faults specific to this engine, only those common to every version.

Which engine has the fewest documented faults?

Documented faults and recalls by engine for the Renault Scénic (I)
EngineDocumented faultsRecalls
1.4 / 1.6 16V (K4J / K4M)Petrol11 with conditions4
2.0 16V (F4R)Petrol11 with conditions4
1.9 dTi / dCi (F9Q)Diesel11 with conditions4

According to the data we have, all its engines have the same number of documented faults.

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 entry
Renault steering, suspension and axle recalls (2001–2014)Suspension and steering

How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; inspect and replace, reprogram or correct the part named in the recall.

View full entry
Renault 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 entry
Renault fuel-leak recalls (2001–2013)Fuel system

How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; with a fuel smell, do not drive; reposition, tighten or replace the pipes named.

View full entry

On 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 1 checked

Known weak points

  • Look out for: Engine or gearbox oil leaks, a clutch worn out before 100,000 km, leaking shock absorbers, a leaking water pump and a rusty exhaust; light and rear-brake faults.

    Ask them to check: When replacing the clutch, also replace the gearbox seals; watch the coolant and check shock absorbers, lights and rear brakes.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.

More Renault buying guides

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