Carsieve All versions
| Variant | Running cost per month | Median price | Listings | Fuel | Engine codes | Gearbox | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCe 130, 130 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €430 | €3,500 | 85 | Petrol | H4J A7 | Manual (6) | 2009–2012 |
| dCi 110 FAP, 106 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €394 | €2,950 | 55 | Diesel | K9K R8 | Manual (6) | 2009–2012 |
| 1.6 16V, 100 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €442 | €3,400 | 54 | Petrol | K4M V8 | Manual (5) | 2008–2012 |
At a glance
- Years: built 2008 to 2016 as hatchback, Grandtour, coupe and coupe-cabriolet. Facelifts came in 2012 and 2014.
- Most common: the timing chain stretches on the 1.2 and 1.4 TCe, the CVT wears, and the EDC gearbox judders.
- Reliability: 3/5, because the ADAC breakdown rate sits mid-table and the chain, CVT and EDC faults cost money.
- DIY: 2/5, because the timing belt needs locking tools and the engine has to be lowered (Za Rulem).
- Prefer: the 1.5 dCi 110 with a manual gearbox and an OBD-checked history.
- Avoid: a CVT car, and a 1.2 TCe with oil use or chain trouble.
Engines and gearboxes
- 1.5 dCi diesel (K9K, 90-110 PS): injector faults are the main issue. The EGR valve clogs, and the dual-mass flywheel can fail at high mileage on diesels in general.
- 1.6 dCi diesel (R9M, 130 PS): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 1.9 dCi diesel (F9Q, 130 PS): turbocharger failures are reported.
- 2.0 dCi diesel (M9R, 150-165 PS): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 1.6 16V petrol (K4M, 100-110 PS, also flex fuel): the camshaft adjuster is the known fault.
- 1.4 TCe petrol (H4J, 130 PS): the timing chain stretches. See Known issues.
- 1.2 TCe petrol (H5F, 115-132 PS): oil use and a stretching timing chain. See Known issues.
- 2.0 16V petrol (M4R, 140 PS, CVT only): no engine fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 2.0 Turbo petrol (F4R, 180-273 PS, GT and RS): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- Manual gearbox: no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- EDC dual-clutch: judder and poor starts. See Known issues.
- 6-speed torque-converter automatic (2.0 dCi 150 PS): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- CVT (M4R): wear from 120,000 km. See Known issues.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timing chain stretch | 1.4 TCe (H4J) and 1.2 TCe (H5F) | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| CVT wear | CVT with the 2.0 16V (M4R) | 120,000-150,000 km | No confirmed price |
| EDC judder and poor starts | EDC dual-clutch | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Oil use, 1.2 TCe | 1.2 TCe (H5F) | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Injector faults, 1.5 dCi | 1.5 dCi (K9K) | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Camshaft adjuster, 1.6 16V | 1.6 16V (K4M) | One report at about 60,000 km (Za Rulem) | No confirmed price |
| Electrics | All | Not stated | Window regulator 200-400 EUR (Wheelstreet, year not stated) |
| Rust at the sills and wheel arches | All | Not stated | No confirmed price |
Before you buy
- Ask for proof that the timing chain was checked or replaced on a 1.2 or 1.4 TCe. A stretched chain that is not replaced can destroy the engine.
- Walk away from a CVT car with no service records. The CVT wears from about 120,000 km.
- Drive the car from rest and at low speed in traffic. Jerking on start or hard shifts is the EDC fault. Ask for gearbox oil change records every 50,000 to 60,000 km (gebrauchtwagenberater).
- On a 1.5 dCi, read the fault codes with an OBD scanner. Ask for injector cleaning records every 20,000 to 25,000 km (Za Rulem).
- On a 1.2 TCe, check the oil level when you buy and after the test drive. Oil that is low between changes is the known fault.
- On a 1.6 16V, ask when the timing belt was last changed. The belt is due at 120,000 km or 60 months (ADAC, petrol). The camshaft adjuster should be changed with it.
- Test every window, the climate control, the infotainment unit and the rain sensor. A window that does not run, or an infotainment unit that crashes, is a fault.
- Look at the sills and wheel arches for bubbling paint and rust.
- Ask a dealer to check the VIN for the 2009 brake pedal recall and the 2009-2010 steering column recall.
- Ask for the last TÜV report. Springs, dampers, steering joints and brakes are the usual failures (ADAC and gebrauchtwagenberater).
Running costs
| Operational | €198 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €124 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €124 |
| Total per month | €446 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €51 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.
- Listings
- 358
- 25th percentile
- €2,500
- Median price
- €3,290
- 75th percentile
- €4,150
- Median mileage
- 185,000 km
- Median first registration
- 2010
- Dealer share
- 41.1%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €4,819
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.
In detail
Timing chain stretch
The timing chain stretches on the 1.4 TCe (H4J) and the 1.2 TCe (H5F). Carwiki and gebrauchtwagenberater both say that a chain which is not replaced can cause a major engine failure. Wheelstreet advises against the 1.2 TCe because of chain and turbo problems up to 2015. The sources give no mileage, price or fix.
Sources: carwiki: Renault Mégane problems, gebrauchtwagenberater: Megane III problems, wheelstreet: Renault Megane buying guide
CVT wear
The Jatco CVT paired with the 2.0 16V (M4R) from 2013 wears out. Za Rulem says wear shows at 120,000 to 150,000 km and advises buyers to avoid CVT versions. Wheelstreet also advises against CVT gearboxes and says some versions have CVT problems. Kolesa notes that Russian buyers are wary of CVTs and that a replacement costs a lot. No price is given.
Sources: Za Rulem: Megane III faults, wheelstreet: Renault Megane buying guide, Kolesa: 5 reasons to buy
EDC judder and poor starts
The EDC dual-clutch shifts poorly and can jerk when the car starts. Carwiki names worn clutches and missed gearbox oil changes as causes. Gebrauchtwagenberater calls the start-up jerks rare, but says clutch wear is higher in city traffic and when towing a trailer. Repair or replacement of the gearbox is "very expensive", with no amount given. Gebrauchtwagenberater advises an oil change every 50,000 to 60,000 km.
Sources: carwiki: Renault Mégane problems, gebrauchtwagenberater: Megane III problems
Oil use, 1.2 TCe
The 1.2 TCe (H5F) uses a lot of oil. Carwiki calls the use very high and advises checking the oil level regularly. Gebrauchtwagenberater names the same engine. The sources give no mileage and no repair price.
Sources: carwiki: Renault Mégane problems, gebrauchtwagenberater: Megane III problems
Injector faults, 1.5 dCi
The injectors on the 1.5 dCi (K9K) leak and fail. Carwiki and gebrauchtwagenberater both name them. RAC Drive reports owners with an injector fault. Za Rulem advises flushing the injectors every 20,000 to 25,000 km. Wheelstreet says an OBD check is a must on the 1.5 dCi 110. No injector price is given.
Sources: carwiki: Renault Mégane problems, gebrauchtwagenberater: Megane III problems, RAC Drive: Megane CC review, Za Rulem: Megane III faults
Camshaft adjuster, 1.6 16V
The 1.6 16V (K4M) has a camshaft adjuster fault that the predecessor also had. Carwiki and gebrauchtwagenberater both advise replacing the part when the timing belt is changed. Za Rulem reports a variable-timing regulator replaced at about 60,000 km. No price in euros or pounds is given.
Sources: carwiki: Renault Mégane problems, gebrauchtwagenberater: Megane III problems, Za Rulem: Megane III owner notes
Electrics
ADAC says electronics cause repeated problems. Gebrauchtwagenberater reports R-Link crashes, weak air conditioning and rain sensors that work badly. Wheelstreet names the body control module, the climate control and the window regulators. A window regulator costs 200-400 EUR (Wheelstreet, year not stated). RAC Drive reports electric window faults.
Sources: ADAC used car info, petrol models, gebrauchtwagenberater: Megane III problems, wheelstreet: Renault Megane buying guide, RAC Drive: Megane CC review
Rust at the sills and wheel arches
Wheelstreet says the Megane III corrodes quickly, especially at the sills and wheel arches. Kolesa finds bubbling paint near the sills and under the rear doors, though it praises the factory anti-corrosion work.
Sources: wheelstreet: Renault Megane buying guide, Kolesa: 5 reasons to buy
Recalls
| Country | Code | Years | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | not given | Built 10 June to 15 July 2009 | Brake pedal: the weld seam between the pedal plate and lever can crack, and the plate can move or come off. Dealers replace the brake pedal, free, about 30 minutes. 3,630 cars in Germany (ADAC). |
| Germany | not given | Built 1 October 2009 to 12 March 2010 | Steering column joint: the clamp nut can touch the electric power steering harness, which then fails. Dealers fix the connector with a cable tie or repair the harness, about 60 minutes. 9,353 cars in Germany (ADAC). |
Check every recall by VIN with a dealer.
Sources: ADAC used car info, petrol models, gebrauchtwagenberater: Megane III problems
Maintenance
- EDC gearbox oil: change every 50,000 to 60,000 km (gebrauchtwagenberater).
- Injectors on the 1.5 dCi: flush every 20,000 to 25,000 km (Za Rulem).
- Timing belt on the 1.6 16V: 120,000 km or 60 months, with the camshaft adjuster checked at the same time (ADAC, petrol).
Sources
English
German
- carwiki: Renault Mégane problems
- gebrauchtwagenberater: Renault Mégane III problems
- ADAC used car info, Renault Mégane petrol models
- wheelstreet: Renault Megane buying guide