2003 Renault Laguna Expression review from UK and Ireland

Radio has not worked from new.

Started taking 3 or 4 button presses to start the engine.

Complete failure of car at only 452 miles.

The day after I bought the car, I tried to use the radio and it wouldn't come on. I contacted Renault and they said they would order one in and phone me when it was ready. I phoned them a week later to ask where the radio was and they told me the order had not gone through yet. They told me they would put the order though and call me to confirm when it would be ready for fitting.

Two days after my call to Renault the car started refusing to start. You press the button and the engine turns over for about 5 seconds, but doesn't start. You have to press the button 3 or 4 times to get it to start. I drove to the local Renault garage and asked them to sort it out. They told me I would have to book the car in and the earliest time would be 2 weeks. I was furious. I tried several local mechanics, but they said they were unable to work on the fault as it required the computer that they use at the main Renault dealers to test and reprogram the system.

A further 2 days later on, while driving home from work, the car cut out and died. I tried taking the keycard out and putting it back in again, but all that happens is aload of warning lights come on the dashboard, but the start button does nothing. Furious again I telephoned Renault and told them to pick the car up. I told them I need a car to get to work and they told me I would have to wait 2 to 3 weeks for a courtesy car. I picked up a hire car (what else could I do?) which I am paying £45 per day for. Renault took 9 days to pick my broken down car up from down the road, despite me calling up every day. Every time I phoned they just acted more and more annoyed, like it was my fault.

It has now been 37 days since the car broke down and I have spent over £1500 on a hire car and Renault still have not given me an answer as to when the car will be ready. I get the impression that it doesn't bother them one way or another. Well I certainly won't buy another Renault ever again, and I don't think that's something that bothers them either.

A friend pointed out this website (carsurvey.org) and I could not believe my eyes when reading the reviews of the 2003 model Laguna. At the time of writing this review 8 out of 10 reviews were negative. If only I had found this site earlier I would have saved myself a fortune and a lot of hassle. 3 cheers for carsurvey, which I will be sure to use next time!