Renault Megane III (2008-2016): known problems and buying guide

A middling buy. The 1.5 dCi with a manual is the safe pick. Avoid CVT cars and check the 1.2 TCe chain and oil.

Updated 27 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
Grandtour ENERGY dCi 110 Start & Stop ECO2, 110 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€374	€4,985	64	Diesel	K9K N8, K9K R8	Manual (6)	2014–2016

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.

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.

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

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).

Operational	€168
Workshop	€124
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€126
Total per month	€418
New-car depreciation (not included)	€56

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.