Faults:

In only 16 months and 8000 miles the following items have failed of needed replaced:

Engine immobiliser (twice - see below for more details)

Full set of tyres.

At least 3 each of brake discs and pads.

Timing belt.

Exhaust.

Both front wheel bearings.

Also has intermittent front wheel squeal (see more below)

General Comments:

I must start with a few positive comments as the car has not been a complete nightmare. I regularly get between 40 - 50 miles per gallon and the acceleration in the car is very good - just don't try and overtake going up a steep hill. The ride is also very comfortable and the heater is a god-send in winter.

Now for the negatives: As I mentioned above, the immobiliser has completely failed on two occasions. The first time was after a late-night return to a holiday and resulted in an hour and half wait in near zero temperatures, first for the recovery vehicle and second for a lift home. When I say the immobiliser failed, I mean it is impossible to turn it off and the car is completely useless. The second time was just last night and fortunately due to the earlier hour and a new roadside assistance contract the experience was much less painful, although still just as inconvenient. What makes it worse is that while last time the car was OK again the next morning, this time it is still dead. The other point to note is that the car was put on the Renault computer after the last fault and no problem was found.

As for the squeal, this has also been referred to the dealer and again there is apparently nothing wrong here either.

Faults:

Seats started to wear.

Exhaust fell off.

Dash creaks.

Dash lights tempermental

General Comments:

Cheap car for insurance and tax.

Comfortable seats as it's a limited edition.

Not the fastest out, but looks smart as I have lowered it 50mm added oz wheels, sports exhaust, sideskirts, splitter, totally colour coded plus many extras that makes up for the slow speed as it turns heads.

Faults:

Air bag light will not turn off.

Front wheel bearings going at 47000 miles.

Service is expensive.

Rear break shoes have been replaced at around 42000 miles.

Front and rear windscreen wiper are loud and have a grinding noise.

Creaky roof.

General Comments:

The car is fast when raced, beats most other 1.2 cars.

Handles very well.

Parts are cheap, and plenty of them.

Insurance is very cheap.

Very reliable.

Nice looking.

White or black are the good colors to go for.

Faults:

Valve cover leaked oil, did not stop until I changed it to the "aftermarket" type.

Front bearings went from both sides around 50 000km.

Exhaust system rusted out from the catalyst to back.

Wiper relay went broken -02. new one costs 110 euros! aftermarket model is ten time cheaper, but does not work so well (wipers do not stop always to "down" position).

General Comments:

Gas consumption high in city driving (8 to 9 litres/100km) but I drive with hard foot. lowest I have reached is 6,1 litres/100km.

OK for a everyday drivin. no special feelings.

Seats are really poor and hard, I can't drive anywhere further than 200km without a pillow behind my back. (i am quite tall)

RN-equipment level means "no accessories" not even the glove box light!

1.4 engine is not a race engine. I recommend some hot rodding for the engine.

The cargo space can take quite much.