Faults:

Changed the brake pads once and oil change twice.

General Comments:

I used this car as a student to get to every single western European country with a mate. Did 50 miles to the gallon on average. I cannot fault this car. We went grape picking in the South of France, went to the most beautiful beaches in Portugal, and saw the most pretty sites in Switzerland in this automobile and never once did it complain. In all, 17 European countries. If it wasn't for this car I would be a typical English layabout. But I have to thank the reliability of Renault for a fair few sojourns without which I would be that much poorer.

I will never forget my Renault 5, and I wish they were still making them.

Never overheated, never complained, which is more than I can say for my girlfriend at the time...

Faults:

Capacitor & ignition coil blew, cost £5 to replace from the scrap yard.

Slight oil leak from the transmission, though not enough to need any top-ups.

Intermittent squealing noise from the clutch release bearing.

General Comments:

Only 48bhp, but 'cause it's so light it keeps up with my previous car, a 1.3 Nova.

5 gears means it easily does 75 to 85mph for 4 hour stretches on the motorway.

Unusual engine layout with the engine between the driver and passenger, means on RHD models the pedals are cramped and offset from the driver.

Suspension is so soft, leans scarily into even slow corners. Have someone heavy in the passenger seat and the car develops a permanent list.

No rust after 17 years!