In-depth reviews

Renault Clio hatchback (2013-2019): owner reviews

"The Renault Clio is good to drive and looks great, but on the inside it’s some way off rivals, which offer more space and are better made"

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by Richard Ingram

21 Jun 2019

.polaris__post-meta--date { display: none; } .polaris__post-meta--date.no-script { display: block; padding-left: 45px } 21 Jun 2019

Carbuyer Rating

3.1 out of 5

Owners Rating

3.9 out of 5

Price

£18,395 - £24,895

Reviews

Owner Reviews

5 out of 5
4 out of 5
3 out of 5
2 out of 5
1 out of 5

55%of people would recommend this car to a friend

Common Problems

Gearbox / clutch, Other (2 cases)
Other (10 cases)
Electrics (4 cases)
Suspension (1 case)
Brakes, Suspension (1 case)
Electrics, Engine (1 case)
Brakes, Engine, Suspension (1 case)
Brakes, Suspension, Other (1 case)
Engine, Suspension (1 case)
Electrics, Other (1 case)
Engine, Gearbox / clutch (2 cases)
Brakes, Engine (1 case)
Gearbox / clutch, Suspension (1 case)
Electrics, Suspension (1 case)
Gearbox / clutch (1 case)
Brakes (1 case)
Engine (1 case)
Brakes, Electrics (1 case)
Brakes, Electrics, Other (1 case)

Review 1 of 100

Tell us what you think about your car?

Worst car I have ever driven. Mine is dangerously sluggish when accelerating on full throttle. The gearbox is jerky on full throttle and sometimes when my foot is off the accelerator after changing gear. It only drives smoothly when I'm driving slowly and is not to be trusted for fast driving. The steering feels very light which makes me a bit uneasy as sudden steering at high speeds can make the car turn dangerously and violently – it doesn't take corners well, it feels like its about to skid or topple over which is very frightening around roundabouts. When taking bends at 23mph it should not respond like that. The only good thing about the car is it's stylish looks. I got a service light just after driving it for 1300 miles.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Looks fantastic in bright red. Very comfy interior. The bad things are: Unexplained clutch judder when pulling off. The car is on its second clutch already. Very low power, useless on hills. No proper spare wheel, just one of those toy ones. MP3 only, no CD player. I much preferred my old 1999 Megane, which lasted nearly 15 years with no problems.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Excellent reliability so far

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

HAD NO ISSUES

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Apart from routine servicing has been a good car considering what I paid fo it.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Never had a problem with anything

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Perfect so far

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Only had the car 3 months and one problem early on. A petrol gauge that when it reaches the 3/4 full mark and then when restarted shows a full tank of fuel. If only this was not fault but a bit of Renault magic.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

A few problems, but reliability overall good.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

steering failed 28000 miles

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Car has been perfect, feels very solidly built.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

So far I have had no issues at all

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

not had any probs in time had it

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Serviced regularly and never lets us down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Haven't had any problems with the car

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Nothing has gone wrong

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Problems with ecu faults constantly appearing and disappearing. Central locking going off all the time. Mechanically ok.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No issues in first 12 months.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems in 2 years

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Engine is pretty good rather than that body work all rusty and interior very poor

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Faultless

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

ok except for cold starts sometimes not start on first attempt

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Great car, fantastic mechanics. Bodywork a bit tatty now. Reliable and small enough for my usage

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Pass this car by no power to slow mpg no good said 51 got 45mpg in side nice thats lt

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Small pocket rocket, can be fun to drive

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Best hot hatch available right now and last of the small, naturally aspirated performance hatches!

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

The seats are a persistant problem. The recaro seats have been replaced on 4 seperate occasions. Other than this problem it has/is one of the most fun cars to drive.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Decent. However, an important reason for buying it was (on paper), a good blend of performance an fuel economy. My previous car (megane tourer 1.6 petrol) comfortably bettered the official mpg. My present car does not achieve the official figure, however careful you are. This is disappointing - even allowing for the fact that my present car has the lp turbo version of the 1.2litre engine. Also, and although renault make a good car in many ways, i had some reliability problems with the megane - and subsequent research shows up reliability problems with many renault models. As a result, i am probably looking at another brand for my next car. Unreliabilty is right at the top of my list of hates, when considering what car to buy.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

For a renault, mildly surprised by dealer, build, performance and reliablilty. No problems and would now consider another renault.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

The clio dci i own is the 80bhp variant. Although that is not a lot of power compared to most cars on the market, it is less than a tonne in weight. This makes it fun to drive, economical, low wearing and surprisingly a great little car! I've heard many problems with renault cars through friends, the internet, and in the media but i've had an opposite experience!

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

If i could change anything it would be the miles per gallon on short journeys it is shocking.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

My car looks good as standard, feels good to drive, comfortable, and does 40mpg which is great for me.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

This is the sports tourer version of the clio with a boot space marginally smaller than the vauxhall astra estate i previously owned. Boot size is ample for carrying luggage and the family dog. The car is pleasant to drive with reasonaly good economy. No obvious reliability issues though the car is only six months old. Rear visibility is a little bit restricted.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

The car has lived up to expectations. It does and performs as i thought it would without surprising me. In the seven months i have had it i have not needed to take it back to the garage at all.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Rubbish. They should stick to making wine and cheese and let the germans do cars.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Average

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

It is great. Amazingly cheap tax for a year, cheap to insure and very economical to run. I hardly have any running costs and it sales through mots every year. Would recommend it to anyone.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Not a bad car,i've had worse,it will do me for now.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Amazing!

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

I love my little car, it has everything i need and is easy to drive with great visability.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Best car i ever owned. Quiet, great performance from 1.2 turbo engine, economical, comfortable., reliable and equal in ride quality to a larger car. Fantastic

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Feels like a quality item in substance but being a renault you always,rightly,worry that something might go wrong and as such cannot enjoy the car fully.. Buy with a warranty if possible....and full breakdown recovery just in case! Skoda,volvo or honda for me next time!

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Best car i have had as a driving school car, pupils love it and it is a good second family car, with good spec. and plenty of space in car and boot.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Good value for money

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

A great small hatch providing all one needs from practical day to day wheels.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Nice

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

It's fine, a little under powered

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

The best hot hatch available for under £5,000!! They have lots of common faults which are expensive to repair (i've spent over £1,000 on mine since purchase!!). Now that all the faults are fixed this is the best car i've ever owned!! Good mpg considering the performance and very rewarding to drive!

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

I think it is the best car i have every owned. i love it and it has been really reliable with minor problems that cost very little to fix. ive always wanted a golf but when i had the chance to swap it i didnt cos the golf was older with more miles on the clock and didnt have any of the luxuries the clio has like rain sensitive wipers and wot not

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Excellent car so far - i think renault's past reputation for unreliability is no longer true.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Vrooooooooooom vroooooooooooom

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Too early to say, but so far very good

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

My clio i use for driving tuition, every body that drives it from 17year olds to 60 year olds like it so that tells you a lot about the car . once a year we drive to the south of france in it with roof box on it does 44mpg and we get out at the end with no aches or pains very comfy

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Comfortable car all round, had very few problems since first purchasing, despite its 10 year life. However, lacks any real power due to the small engine, and and as such is merely functional, if boring.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Not good value for money!!! Renault expects me to spend more than the car is worth!!!

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Probably was a good car once; but my cam belt snapped and since thne it has not run at all well.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Good car which does the job!

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Great

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Excellent

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Not what i was expecting from it had a clio before and had lots of trouble with that aswell but thought give it one more chance thing which lets the car down the most is the dealerships very unrealible such as not phoning back and making silly excuses

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Very reliable

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Its amazing had some problems but its exclusivity makes it worth it

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Not the most practical nor the most economical but just a good allround package which is fantastic fun to drive everytime ! Despite the little niggles that do crop up quite regularly !!!

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Great car for value and performance

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Good value

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Cant fault it in any area.handles really well.excellent 6sd gearbox superb seats and driving position.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Not very reliable / poor fuel economy

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

I have always bought fiats in the past , but was most imprest by this car, i,e, renault , so thought i would try . Pleasantly surprised./

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Ideal for 2 people. We have 2 other cars that we use

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

It has personlity but is a bit underpowered in my opinion

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Best small car for any size of family, very easy to drive, suitable for my wife at 5' tall and me at 6' 1" tall. very comfortable. fast enough.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Enjoyable car with great performance, build and ride quality could be better though.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Excellent car apart from the recaro seats wearing so badly

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Clio sports tourer 1.5dci is a practical and efficient vehicle that has proved suited to the job.60mpg on trips to france is terrific.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Comfortable little car. Smooth ride with a nice little engine. The interior isn't as bad as what is stated. The traditional cheap plastic interior is replaced with smooth finishes and decorative gloss. A thing to mention is the view out the rear window is limited. But, you can get an optional rear and front sensor fitted at any point. The new Clios come with a 7" central display as standard, which has sat-nav, radio, a choice of media inputs (Audio jack, USB, or Bluetooth), but unfortunately the usb won't charge phones or iPods. The car doesn't use regular keys, instead a card shaped key that the car senses, so it can be left in your pocket, so no fiddling around with an ignition, though you can insert it into a slot if need be, and you get the fun of pressing a START button. There is an emergency key inside of the card, which can be pulled out and used to unlock from the passenger side. In terms of space in the car, being a tall gent myself, I've found it quite spacious, and even with my seat pushed back, there is still plenty of room behind for a pair of legs.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Worst car ever! Incredibly unreliable..... Returned for repair around 15 times in less than 2 years. Faults include power steering faults, wipers inoperable, full beam inoperable, horn inoperable TWICE! Window motor fault. On top of that the car has had two safety recalls on the brakes. The centre console jumps /skips when Bluetooth and satnav both in use. Renault have not taken into account right hand drivers, window demists quicker on the left, start button on left, phone speaker on left (sounds like under water to other person). On top of that, Renault are not good at customer aftercare, they pretty much take your money and then hate it if you have to bring the car in for repairs (which you probably will have to).

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Although this car looks great and drives nicely, this is the most unreliable car I have ever owned. It has been back to the main dealer many times (approx 10-12 times) for various faults. I have had five parts replaced in a year and a half and two safety recalls for brakes. Full beam broke, the horn broke, the car sometimes didn't lock, the wipers stay on after locking the car, I've had a power steering fault and the driver's window makes a noise. The media system is good, although when connected to Bluetooth playing music is jumpy. There's not much headroom in the back for taller passengers. Engine is nippy (not in eco mode) for such a small displacement - making tax cheap, however when it's not in eco mode the mpg reduces significantly. Finishes inside are quite nice but metallic finishes on dashboard reflects the sun into your eyes when it's sunny. Overall it's a nice car but not a brand I will buy from again.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

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