2002 Renault Clio dynamique review from UK and Ireland

I bought a renault clio dynamique 16v in 2003, less than 1 year old with only 4000 miles on the clock from a renault dealer. I have had countless faults with this car.

Firstly when I got the car home from the dealer after purchase I noticed an oil leak, returned it to dealer and was told it had been fixed although not the case. the care was returned a further twice with the dealer assuring me this time it was fixed, eventually they attmited they couldnt fix the problem and put a whole new engine in the car, thankfully under warranty.

Then on a cold morning tried to start the car, but had a flat battery, which had also set the immobiliser off, called out aa, who tried hitting the key off the ground a few times as they said sometimes the bit in the key becomes loose. the car started.

Another day same problem, flat battery= immobilised engine, this time hitting the key didn't work, started looking online and got a tip whick worked.

If the immobiliser is on then open all the doors and the boot and leave them open, next put the key in engine and turn it till the electics come on, leave the car like this for around 10min and the immobiliser resets itself, I know it sounds crazy, but it worked!

I was continually having problems with the car starting and after repeatedly replacing batteries and not having much luck, I called ou the aa again, this time the aa man said it was a common prob with clios and without even looking at the car said it would probally be the connector to the battery which seems to a common inherent fault in clios (manufactuers take note!), which he replaced for free and have never experienced problems with this aspect since.

Next fault was after car just being serviced and had only done around 19k the brakes seized on, again called aa who said he had been out to 3 clios with same prob in the last 2 weeks, he tried to hammer it off, but couldnt so towed it to dealer who fixed under warranty.

I then hit a pot hole whilsy driving and the car deploed the side air bags, and seat belt ensioners, had it towed to dealer who said the couldnt rule out it had been involved in an accident, refused to fix anything under warranty, I complained as the sensors shouldn't deploy airbags and passenger and back seatbelts when only 1 person in the car and it was just a pothole although renault refused to do anything about it, ended up paying out £2700 in repairs including 2 new full front seats, new back seat belts, and new central computer.

I am now experiencing the same problem that seems to be comon to everyone on this site,

the emmisions light is permanently on, the car sounds like its misfiring when its started. when changing gear there is a delay as it struggles to gather power and when pulling out of juctions, round abouts ect it judders and doesn't have the power needed to pul away. then the engine cuts out at speed and the electrical management light comes on, tha ABS and pas fail.

This is highly dangerous and seems to be an inherrent fault. I have put the car into my dealer who said after a diagnostic check that the car only req new spark plugs at a cost of £56.98. that was yesterday and the car is still showing the same problems, I have put in a complaint and put the car back in to be looked at however I don't hold out much hope for a solution after reading this site!

If anyone has managed to get this fixed please email me and let me know!

Cutiepiex0x@hotmail.co.uk.

These cars should be recalled there is obviously a serious common fault which is causing the power failures in the cars. if renault prides itself so much on safety then they should be doing something about it, will they wait til someone dies or is seriously injured in their car due to the power cutting out a high speeds before they act or are held liable? I will be contacting trading stardards, these cars are not fit for purpose!

Too many faults to go thro them all,

i would never buy a renault again. these cars should be recalled!