Faults:

Within weeks of delivery the engine emitted a howling noise when the gears shifted from 3rd to 2nd gear. By the second mandatory service, the car was deemed unsafe to drive and a loose "bolt" was removed from within the engine and replaced. The dealer was sketchy on the details.

The rear shock absorber experienced significant wear and tear and was replaced. In Australia obtaining parts proved challenging.

In late 2003, the vehicle engine exploded and caught fire, the car has subsequently been written off, the cause of the fire is not clear although it would appear the fuel line broke. From what I understand this is not a common occurence.

General Comments:

Prior to the fire, the vehicle was great to drive and a perfect family car, innovative design, comfortable, excellent brakes, good safety features and reasonably economical. Unfortunately the after sale support and care does not live up to expectations.

After the fire I would describe the vehicle as a great design, but with obvious quality control issues.

Faults:

The Renault Scenic has in my case 2 major problems. The electric wiring and the ignition coils.

My two and a half year old car has had 2 repairs to fix the wiring to the brake lights.

First about the problems I encountered with the wiring. The first time I was told the wiring to the fuse box has come lose. The second time the wiring to the sensor on the brake pedal was the cause.

The other major problem I had was with the ignition coils.

After about 9 months I noticed the car all of the sudden started to sound like a tractor. It not only sounded like a tractor it also drove like one. The car had lost 50% of it's power.

After a few days the dealer had fixed it, it was an ignition coil.

The second coil went defective half a year later.

And now, two and a half year after I bought the car, the third and for last ignition coil went.

One comfort, there is only one coil left to go wrong.

For the rest no problems.

General Comments:

Despite these problems, the car is great. It has lots of space. The seating in front is comfortable. And by removing the back seats it is easily converted to carry remarkable large loads. Heating is fine when you get used to it. And it overs a lot of features for the price.

On the negative side, the window wipers are noisy and do not always leave the window clean.