The Renault Megane to buy is a Megane III from 2010 on, or a later car, with a manual gearbox, not the EDC automatic, whose juddering and control module failures are a serious known fault.
3 known faults, 2 rated high severity in our database; owners report 48.1 mpg, 82% of the official figure. Everything below is built from that data and the archived owner history, not from a press car.
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Check a Renault Megane advert (free) →A Megane III from 2010 on, or a later Megane, with a manual gearbox is the safer buy, because the worst known fault on those years belongs to the EDC automatic, which can judder badly and lose its control module. That doesn't make the manual a clean record: the electronic handbrake fault reaches 2016 cars that have one, and the 1.2 TCe petrol's timing chain is known for stretching, so the engine matters as much as the year.
The Megane II, sold from 2002 to 2008, is the one to pass on. Its 1.5 dCi diesel carries the Delphi pump fault, where the high-pressure pump breaks up inside and spreads metal through the fuel system between 60,000 and 120,000 miles. Those with the electronic handbrake share its fault, and electric windows have a record of failing on the Megane I and II, as do keycards on the II and ignition coils on both.
The Megane sold from 2016 to 2022 had its automatic recalled in 2017 for a gearbox software update, because the clutch could fail to engage fully and leave the car juddering or without drive, and the EDC fault's years run to 2020, so a manual's still the one to have. It isn't spotless either: one owner's 2017 GT 1.6 dCi had its clutch pedal travel shorten at 25,000 miles, and one report covers two of these cars whose drop links came apart.
A manual gearbox is the safe choice on any Megane, but no engine has a clean record. The Megane III went on sale in 2008, so a 1.5 dCi built between 2008 and 2010 falls inside the Delphi pump fault's years, and a later one has no known fault against it, which isn't proof it's sound. Its cambelt's due every 72,000 miles or 5 years, whichever comes first, so ask for the receipt.
Don't buy the EDC dual-clutch automatic. It's the subject of a serious known fault on 2010 to 2020 cars, bringing heavy judder when pulling away, a gearbox warning light and control module failures that leave it stuck in gear or with no drive. Renault calls it sealed for life, but its oil is worth changing every 50,000 miles or 5 years.
The 1.2 TCe petrol is the engine to be wariest of. Its timing chain is known for stretching, a problem made worse by the engine's thirst for oil, and one owner's 2015 1.2 TCe 115 needed a new chain under warranty at 30,000 miles. Another owner's 2012 Sport Tourer with the same engine was using a litre of oil every 1,800 miles before it failed at 63,000 miles.
On pre-2010 cars, the 1.5 dCi's Delphi pump fault is the one that decides it, and both the 1.5 and 1.9 dCi in the Megane II can have their EGR valve stick shut, which can wreck the turbo bearings and draw engine oil into the intake. The Megane I's automatic isn't one to trust either: its front clutch drum can split, or the cooler in the radiator can leak coolant into the gearbox.
Apply and release the electronic handbrake several times on any Megane from 2002 to 2016 that has one, because its motor and cable unit, wiring or control module can fail. A 'Check Parking Brake' message on the dash, a handbrake that won't let go or won't apply, or an MOT failure on the parking brake are all signs of that fault, so don't shrug any of them off.
On an EDC automatic, crawl through traffic and pull away from a standstill several times: any shudder, a gearbox warning light or any loss of drive is the known fault showing itself. Ask for proof the 2017 software recall was done on a 2016-on automatic. On a 1.5 dCi up to 2010, a flashing glow plug light, misfiring or stalling points to the Delphi pump, and there's a 2007 recall for a leaking injection pump to check off.
Try every electric window and the keycard, since window mechanisms have a record of failing on the Megane I, II and early III coupe, and keycards on the II. Lift the carpets for damp, and on a 1.2 TCe check the dipstick and ask how often it's topped up. Get the cambelt receipt on a 1.5 dCi, and ask when the belt was last done on any older Megane: one 2002 car's failed at 60,000 miles after 12 years without a change.
Paste the advert into the free check and it runs these against the listing, the MOT history and the DVLA record before you travel.
It's the Megane to pass on, because its 1.5 dCi carries the Delphi pump fault between 60,000 and 120,000 miles, those with the electronic handbrake share its fault, and its electric windows and keycards have a record of failing. The Megane II from 2002 earned five Euro NCAP stars, but early cars let water into the fusebox and caused electrical havoc until Renault's sealing kit went on, and handbrake faults appeared soon after launch.
By late 2009 the Megane II was suffering repeated electric window and keycard faults, its variable-ratio steering goes heavy in corners and the front suspension can clonk. Water sits in the doors and tailgate until they're opened, the headlight bulbs blow often and are awkward to change, and cars on 17-inch wheels can wear out their rear tyres in 8,000 miles. The Sport Tourer's opening sunroof can seize and its drains can let water into the cabin.
Ignition coil failures turn up on both the Megane I and II; when one goes, change all four, or the fault can come back on another coil. On the Megane I, a failed flywheel sensor connector can immobilise the car, a fishy smell with wet carpets means the heater matrix has gone, and the engine has to come out for a new clutch. RenaultSport 225s can misfire from failing injectors, which can damage the catalyst.
One owner's 2.0 dCi 175 RenaultSport had its gearbox fail at 48,000 miles, with Renault paying most of the repair, and another's 2004 Megane broke an engine mounting bolt at 70,000 miles. On Megane I manuals, a circlip on the nearside driveshaft joint can pop out and leave the car with no drive, and corroded driveshaft gaiter clips can come loose and damage the ABS sensor.
Real-world economy on this generation: Renault Megane 44.1 mpg, Renault Megane Sport Tourer 49.4 mpg, Renault Megane 48.5 mpg.
Yes, with a manual gearbox, because the EDC automatic fitted from 2010 carries a serious known fault that brings judder and control module failures. The engine needs care too: the 1.2 TCe's timing chain is known for stretching, and a Megane III 1.5 dCi from 2008 to 2010 still falls inside the Delphi pump fault's years, so it isn't a pick-any-version car.
The Megane III earned five Euro NCAP stars, but cars with the electronic handbrake share its fault, which runs to 2016. One owner's 1.4 GT Line needed a new head gasket under warranty, and early coupes have had their electric windows fail. A 2013 car lost its engine and turbo to oil starvation three days after its warranty ran out, and a 1.6 coupe at 60,000 miles needed a new driveshaft, then began knocking from both sides.
The 1.2 TCe is the version to be wariest of. One owner's 2015 1.2 TCe 115 needed a new timing chain under warranty at 30,000 miles, and a 2012 Sport Tourer with the same engine was getting through a litre of oil every 1,800 miles before it failed at 63,000 and had its engine replaced under warranty. On any 1.2 TCe, check the dipstick and ask how often it's been topped up.
Real-world economy on this generation: Renault Megane 48.5 mpg, Renault Megane Coupe 48.0 mpg, Renault Megane Sport Tourer 52.4 mpg, Renault Megane 47.6 mpg, Renault Megane Sport Tourer 48.7 mpg.
Sellers rarely admit these faults outright
Paste any Renault Megane advert and we check it against the faults, the MOT record and these figures in seconds.
Check an advert now (free) →Owners report 48.1 mpg across the Renault Megane engines with data, about 82% of the official figure, from 1,623 submissions.
Renault Megane Real MPG by engine →The Megane I's handling is sweet and precise, and it's the estates that have the space: the Megane II Sport Tourer's load bay is a roomy one, while the Megane III Sport Tourer has room for a family and all their kit, even once the children in the back have grown.
Both rows of seats in the Megane III Sport Tourer are comfortable, and its boot's big enough for most of what a family carries. The Megane sold from 2016 rides comfortably too on its standard suspension, and the Megane I's body is galvanised.
The Renault Megane to buy is a Megane III from 2010 on, or a later car, with a manual gearbox, not the EDC automatic, whose juddering and control module failures are a serious known fault. Our database holds 3 known Renault Megane faults, 2 rated high severity, and the sections above say which generation and engine carry them.
A Megane III from 2010 on, or a later Megane, with a manual gearbox is the safer buy, because the worst known fault on those years belongs to the EDC automatic, which can judder badly and lose its control module. On the fault record the Megane II (2002 to 2008) carries 1 known fault against 2 on the Megane III (2008 to 2016). Each generation's section above gives the detail. Renault Megane faults by generation.
Apply and release the electronic handbrake several times on any Megane from 2002 to 2016 that has one, because its motor and cable unit, wiring or control module can fail. Read the MOT history for repeat advisories and ask for invoices for any work the seller mentions. Then paste the advert into the free check, which reads it against every known Renault Megane fault before you travel.
Owners report 48.1 mpg on average, about 82% of the official figure, from 1,623 submissions. Belt (1.5 DCI, K9K): 72,000 miles or 5 years, whichever comes first, so budget for it if the history does not show it done. The known faults page lists a rough repair cost against each fault. Renault Megane Real MPG by engine.
If you used the Honest John car-by-car reviews before the site closed in 2026, this is where the Renault Megane buying advice now lives. It is written from the archived owner reports and model notes (archived page, 142 items read for this model), our own known-faults database, the confirmed service intervals and the Real MPG figures. Every number on the page comes from that data, not from the text. The same data feeds our free advert check.
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The Renault Megane is one decision. Reading the advert, the history and the seller are the rest, and these cover them.
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