SecondHandSense:IT IS quite easy to understand how the Renault Mégane Scenic became the hit it did with family motorists almost immediately on its introduction in 1998. It was a smaller and more compact alternative to bulkier MPVs and it had a very subtle yet modern styling appeal. It was practical and spacious, cleverly laid out inside and it was easy to drive.
It is not quite so easy to understand its enduring appeal, however. It did get an impressive re-vamp in 2003 but by then it had begun to be overtaken by competitors. In the last few years it has really been showing its age and other cars are not just more cleverly thought out, but are also far more reliable.
The Scenic from 2003 to last year is a car living off an inflated reputation. The car still has its good points, like roomy storage areas and good styling, but it is let down by a cheap looking interior with waves of plastic on the dashboard and short, fiddly and fragile-looking switches, and the radio is not up to much.
The seating arrangement is not all that clever for a small MPV either because the basis Scenic does not have fold-flat seats in the rear. The most popular engines are the 1.4 petrol, which is basic and does not operate all that well under a full load, and the 1.5 diesel, which gives excellent economy but, again, labours a little. There is also a 1.6 petrol option – perhaps the best – but not the most economical.
Ride and handling across the range are good but often soft. The car has a five star rating in the EuroNCAP crash test programme, which is excellent, and the overall safety package – including brake force distribution – is good. What is not so good is the car’s reputation for niggling but sometimes costly problems. Oil leaks, front window problems, handbrake faults, battery faults, diesel engines losing oil and seizing, engine mounting bolts and door lock problems have been reported. There have been two major recalls, for brake and seatbelt faults.
One asking price for a 2006 1.5 diesel with 83,000km is €13,495. Another dealer is looking for €12,975 for a 2007 petrol with 37,000km on the clock. At these prices I would pass.
STAR RATING:4/10