Renault Twingo II (2007-2014): known problems and buying guide

Built: 2007–2011
Median price: €2,500
Listings: 746
Running cost per month: €334–€367
Power: 58–76 PS (43–56 kW)
Reliability: 2/5
DIY: 2/5

Check the timing belt, the 1.5 dCi oil changes and the 2008 and 2010 recalls before you buy.

Updated 24 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
1.2 LEV, 75 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€334	€2,650	334	Petrol	D4F J7	Manual (5)	2010–2011
1.2 16V, 76 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€354	€2,650	334	Petrol	D4F J7	Manual (5)	2007–2010
1.2, 58 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€367	€2,390	259	Petrol	D7F A8	Manual (5)	2007–2010

At a glance

Years: built 2007 to 2014. The seat recall covers 2008-09 builds and the valve recall covers 2010 builds.
Main risks: the timing belt on the 1.2 16V (D4F), where a break bends the valves, and the 1.5 dCi (K9K), where bearings, injectors and the high-pressure pump fail.
Recalls: ask a dealer to check the VIN for the driver seat recall and the 2010 valve wedge recall.
Reliability: 2/5, because oil loss and the 1.5 dCi faults are known.
DIY: 2/5, because a timing belt job takes a garage 3 to 4 hours.
Prefer: a car with records of oil changes and a timing belt change. Avoid: a 1.5 dCi with no oil change records.

Engines and gearboxes

1.2 8V petrol (D7F, 58-60 PS): no common fault confirmed.
1.2 16V petrol (D4F, 75 PS): timing belt break bends the valves, oil leaks, ignition coil and electrical faults. See Known issues.
1.2 TCe turbo petrol (D4FT, 100 PS): 2010 valve wedge recall. See Recalls.
1.6 16V RS petrol (K4M): no common fault confirmed.
1.5 dCi diesel (K9K): connecting-rod bearings, injectors, high-pressure pump and turbo. See Known issues.
Manual gearbox: no common fault confirmed.
Quickshift automated manual: no fault confirmed for the Twingo II.

Known issues

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost
Timing belt break bends valves	1.2 16V petrol (D4F)	Not stated	About 500-860 EUR for belt and water pump (Germany, 2021 quotes)
Valve wedge recall	1.2 16V (D4F) and TCe 100 (D4FT), built 17 Sep to 30 Nov 2010	Not stated	Not stated
Con-rod bearings	1.5 dCi diesel (K9K), older cars	Not stated	No confirmed price
Injectors, turbo and high-pressure pump	1.5 dCi diesel (K9K)	Not stated	No confirmed price
Oil loss and leaks	Petrol and diesel; leaks on 1.2 16V (D4F)	High mileage, no figure given	No confirmed price
Throttle body	Twingo II; ADAC breakdown focus on 2013 cars	Not stated	No confirmed price
Ignition coil and electrical faults	1.2 16V petrol (D4F)	Not stated	No confirmed price
Driver seat lock recall	Built September 2008 to February 2009	Not stated	Not stated

Before you buy

Ask for the timing belt change record on a 1.2 16V. No record means you cannot tell when the belt was last changed, and a break bends the valves.
Ask a Renault dealer to check the VIN for the 2010 valve wedge recall. An open recall means the fix is still due.
On a 1.5 dCi, ask for oil change records every 10,000 km or yearly. Long gaps between changes lead to bearing damage.
On a 1.5 dCi, ask whether the fuel system and high-pressure pump have been checked or replaced. A failed pump sends debris into the injectors. Bad result: a pump failure with no repair record.
Check the oil level and ask for top-up records. Bad result: the level is low between changes.
On a 1.2 16V, look for oil under the engine and at the rocker cover. Bad result: wet oil at the cover or at the seals.
Watch the revs after starting. Bad result: the revs climb on their own, or the engine warning light stays on.
On a 1.2 16V, ask a garage to scan the engine for electrical fault codes. Bad result: codes for the ignition coil or the camshaft sensor.
Move the driver seat through all positions and push it hard. Bad result: the seat slips or does not lock. Look for a sticker marked B5 in the engine bay; it marks a car with the recall fix done.

Running costs

Operational	€179
Workshop	€89
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€89
Total per month	€357
New-car depreciation (not included)	€35

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.

Find offers on mobile.de

Listings: 746
25th percentile: €1,850
Median price: €2,500
75th percentile: €3,390
Median mileage: 143,000 km
Median first registration: 2009
Dealer share: 45%
Price at 100,000 km: €3,186

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

In detail

Timing belt break bends valves (D4F)

The timing belt turns the camshaft that opens the valves. On the 1.2 16V (D4F), a broken or jumped belt bends the valves.

In Germany, owners reported quotes of about 500 EUR at a chain workshop, just over 700 EUR at Renault and nearly 860 EUR at another workshop for belt and water pump (2021). Labour takes 3 to 4 hours. Ask for the record of the last change.

Sources: ClickMechanic: Renault Twingo timing belt and water pump estimate, Otoba: Renault D4F engine, Motorist.expert: Renault D4F and D4FT engines, Motor-Talk: Twingo II 1.2 timing belt change

Valve wedge recall, 2010 builds (D4F, D4FT)

Renault recalled cars built from 17 September to 30 November 2010. The valve wedges (small locks that hold each valve spring in place) in the cylinder head may not meet the specification.

A dealer checks the cylinder head numbers, which takes about 20 minutes. If the valve wedges must be replaced, the work takes 4 to 9 hours.

Sources: AUTO BILD: Renault and Dacia recall, 2011, gebrauchtwagenberater: Renault Twingo problems, AUTO BILD: Renault Twingo weak points, 2026

Con-rod bearings (K9K)

The connecting-rod bearings link the pistons to the crankshaft. On the 1.5 dCi (K9K), the bearings spin or wear out, mostly on older cars. The main cause named is late or missing oil changes.

Change the oil every 10,000 km or once a year.

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater: Renault Twingo problems, Otoba: Renault K9K engine, drive2: K9K injector and bearing post

Injectors, turbo and high-pressure pump (K9K)

The 1.5 dCi injectors and turbo cause occasional problems. The press reports failed high-pressure pumps and turbo damage. When the pump fails, metal debris goes into the common-rail system and clogs the injectors. The same debris shortens the life of the turbo and the oil pump.

No repair cost is confirmed for this fault.

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater: Renault Twingo problems, AUTO BILD: Renault Twingo weak points, 2026, Otoba: Renault K9K engine

Oil loss and leaks

Oil loss at high mileage affects petrol and diesel engines. The press reports that oil loss is too frequent for this generation. No mileage is given.

The 1.2 16V (D4F) also leaks oil from the rocker cover and from several seals.

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater: Renault Twingo problems, AUTO BILD: Renault Twingo weak points, 2026, Otoba: Renault D4F engine, Motorist.expert: Renault D4F and D4FT engines

Throttle body

Owners report that the throttle body fails. After starting, the revs can climb on their own and the engine warning light comes on.

The ADAC breakdown statistics list the throttle body and its actuator as a fault focus for Renault Twingo cars first registered in 2013.

No repair cost is confirmed for this fault.

Sources: ADAC Pannenstatistik 2024 (PDF), Motor-Talk: Twingo II throttle body

Ignition coil and electrical faults (D4F)

On the 1.2 16V, the ignition coil is one unit with the high-voltage leads, the wires to the spark plugs. If a lead breaks, the whole coil unit is replaced. The camshaft position sensor can also fail. Both cause electrical faults, and the sources describe electrical faults on this engine as regular.

Sources: Otoba: Renault D4F engine, Motorist.expert: Renault D4F and D4FT engines

Driver seat may not lock (2008-2009 builds)

Renault recalled cars built from September 2008 to February 2009. A spring in the seat rails can come loose when the seat is moved. The driver seat may then not lock safely and can slip while driving. 8,241 cars were affected in Germany.

The fix adds an extra fastening to the seat lock unit and takes about 30 minutes. If the lock cable or the seat rails must be replaced, it takes up to two hours. Serviced cars have a sticker marked B5 in the engine bay. The sources give no recall code.

Sources: AUTO BILD: Twingo II seat recall, 2009, autoservicepraxis: Twingo seat recall, 2009, car-recalls.eu: Renault Twingo

Recalls

Country	Code	Years	What is done
Germany	not given	Built September 2008 to February 2009	Driver seat lock. Extra fastening on the seat lock unit, about 30 minutes; up to two hours if the lock cable or seat rails are replaced. Serviced cars have sticker B5 in the engine bay.
Germany	not given	Built 17 September to 30 November 2010	D4F and D4FT valve wedges. Cylinder head check, about 20 minutes; valve wedges replaced if needed, 4 to 9 hours.

Sources: AUTO BILD: Twingo II seat recall, 2009, AUTO BILD: Renault and Dacia recall, 2011

Maintenance

Engine oil, 1.5 dCi: change every 10,000 km or once a year. Long gaps between changes lead to bearing damage.
Valves, 1.2 16V: the engine has no hydraulic lifters, so the valve clearance is set by hand. Valves out of adjustment cause idle noise. Ask for the record of the last adjustment.
Timing belt, 1.2 16V: check the record for the last change. A broken belt bends the valves.

Sources: Otoba: Renault K9K engine, drive2: K9K injector and bearing post, Otoba: Renault D4F engine, Motorist.expert: Renault D4F and D4FT engines