Second Hand Sense:AS WAS noted in the Motors review of the new Renault Modus last week, the previous model was a "bit of a flop". That there are relatively few on the second-hand market bespeaks this lack of popularity.
In truth, it is a hard car to warm to because it is neither fish nor fowl, and the looks that were designed to make it smart and striking have instead made it quite ungainly. The previous model was launched in 2004 and the car was designed in tandem with the Nissan Note - a car that has had greater success. This first generation model was promoted as an ideal city car with a lively 1.2-litre engine and lots of practical storage space.
It is a good city car but its 75bhp engine makes it a limited proposition for any other purpose. It labours heavily when pushed and this probably limits better fuel consumption. The cabin is dominated by a wave of plastic. Seating is comfortable, but nothing special and the rear is really designed for two rather than three.
It might be unfair to single out the Modus for criticism on the following point, because cars like the Scenic have the same problem, but anyone buying one should be aware of the problems of changing a headlight bulb. With most cars this is simple, but not with these. An owner I know bought his own manual but was still defeated by the excercise.
The previous model Modus is an average car on the second-hand market and suffers from a lack of indentity. Perhaps its best attribute is the fact that it was the first really small car to achieve a five-star rating in the EuroNCAP ratings. Some 4,000 cars were recalled in 2007 for problems with a brake light switch melting.
A 2004 model with metallic paint, four airbags, CD player, ABS, central locking and 41,000km up is on offer for €9,950. A 2006 model with the same equipment and 20,000km is on offer for €12,950.
STAR RATING:4/10