2001 Renault Clio Sport 172 from UK and Ireland - Comments

The first new Renault Sport Clio I had delivered in silver had large pieces of fluff in the paintwork all down the right hand side and silver spray on the dashboard. Renault attempted to affect a repair, but after four weeks of lame excuses I eventually contacted Renault UK customer services who agreed to replace the car.

New car in black - gear change indicator didn't work.

Drivers seat started to wear very badly by 300 miles.

Drivers side airbag deployed in traffic for no reason at about 15mph.

Outside air temperature gauge gave readings of 30 degrees C on cold days.

Paint peeled from the front bumper in large sheets whilst being jet-washed.

Car handles very well and on a recent trip up to North Wales I was extremely impressed by both the economy and the performance.

Dealer network leaves a huge amount to be desired. Currently my car has been off the road for four weeks awaiting parts following an airbag deployment.

Renault are not renowned for build quality on smaller cars. Squeaking interiors, poor panel fit, adjoining plastics rubbing and shrieking down bumpy roads.

As for "Paint peeled from the front bumper in large sheets whilst being jet-washed" -- that really brought back memories. I had a similar experience with a Renault 5 many years ago.

Quite frankly, you grow out of Renault... one day it just clicks that they can make engines and suspension, but not the rest of the car that goes around them. Avoid.

I should be driving my new 172 now, but my dealer has said it'll be delayed for 7-10 days, due to "paint problems" spotted on delivery to the Renault Import Centre at Teesport. Thanks for your review.. I'll be going over the car with a fine toothed comb when I take delivery.

I bought my new Clio in June this year. It is a 1.6 16V dynamique+ 51 reg. I have had so much problems with Renault that I am worried about taking my car back to ANY Renault dealership.

My external thermometer is also giving very strange readings. After scraping frost of my car at 5am in the morning it was giving temperatures of 40C! I do not want the garage breaking anything else on the car so I am not taking the car to get fixed. Service should not be like this.

I have put a review under the Clio 2001 section if you are interested in my older problems with the car.

I shall never buy another Renault again. This is a shame cause my car is fun to drive.

Hope all goes well in the future.

Kelly.

Hi I am just wanting to know if anyone as had the same problem as myself, I bought my new renault clio on a 06

after 4 months the paint bubbled on the roof and went to the bare metal, then again 1 month ago on the roof again and on the bonnet as anyone had the same problem please could you let me know as renault do not want to know??