Renault Megane Scenic (1999-2003) Review

Running Costs

• Previous: Safety and Security
• Next: Comfort and Equipment

Insurance starts low, at group 5, while servicing is needed only every 18,000 miles. There are plenty of used Scenics about, and frequent special offers on new ones, yet residual values remain higher than for Megane hatchbacks. Reliability issues, if they occur, should be dealt with under warranty, but in practice, Renault has not always been co-operative about stumping up to make amends. Buy with care, looking for a full service history, and beware of Scenics that have already had extensive engine or gearbox work at low mileages. Once they start going wrong, it's difficult to get them right again. But there are plenty of one-family, privately-owned Scenics out there that have barely had more than a lightbulb replaced: check out the private classified ads if you don't want to pay Renault main dealer prices, or have a look at the independent car supermarkets. Scenics are keenly priced. For usefulness-per-pound, it's hard to beat. Deals got better as it neared its replacement.