Used buyer's guide: Renault Scenic
The Renault Scenic compact MPV is comfortable and affordable to run
How much?
Scenics are more plentiful than Grand Scenics, plus they’re cheaper – typically by between £500 and £800. The premium is worthwhile, though, especially as you can buy a Grand Scenic for only £5,000. It needn’t be a high-mileage car, but it will be petrol powered or low spec.
The best engine is the 1.6 dCi diesel launched in 2011 – a Grand Scenic with this is still more than £15,000, or £14,500-plus in Scenic form. A £10,000 budget will secure a 10-reg 1.5 dCi Privilege or 1.9 dCi Dynamique TomTom, or an 11-plate 1.5 dCi Expression or a low-mileage 1.6 VVT Dynamique TomTom.
Running costs
| Model | Insurance group | Fuel economy | CO2 emissions | Annual road tax |
| 1.4 TCe | 17-18 | 38mpg | 168g/km | £200 |
| 1.6 | 14-16 | 38mpg | 174g/km | £200 |
| 2.0 | 17 | 36mpg | 183g/km | £220 |
| 1.5dCi | 16-17 | 57mpg | 130/km | £105 |
| 1.9dCi 130 | 20-21 | 51mpg | 145g/km | £140 |
| 2.0dCi 150 auto | 20-23 | 40mpg | 184g/km | £230 |
| 2.0dCi 160 | 21-23 | 42mpg | 173g/km | £200 |
All Scenics need to visit a garage every two years or 18,000 miles, with services alternating between minor and major – priced at £125 and £155 respectively. In addition, you’ll have to pay £399 every six years or 90,000 miles for a replacement cambelt on the 1.6 VVT, 1.5 dCi and 1.9 dCi engines; the rest are chain-driven.
You’ll also have to refresh the coolant (£69) and brake fluid (£39) every four years. Renault dealers offer menu servicing for most things. If you purchase a post-February 2012 facelifted car, it comes with the 4+ package as standard. This provides four years’ warranty, servicing and roadside assistance.
