The third-generation Renault Megane was first introduced globally in 2008 and remained in production until 2016. Over the course of eight years, the model has been facelifted a few times, incorporating new styling, trims and standard equipment. Locally, customers could choose between a three-door and five-door hatchback configuration as well as a two-door Coupe Cabriolet.
The French automaker also introduced a few more performance-oriented derivatives, such as the Sport 265 Lux and 275 Trophy. Let us take a closer look to find out if the third-generation Renault Megane is a good used car.
Related: Find new or used Renault Megane models on AutoTrader here
Reliability
In terms of reliability, the third-generation Renault Megane was a definite improvement over previous iterations. In a reliability survey conducted in 2017 by What Car? in the United Kingdom, the model scored an impressive 83% overall. This indicates that there are still things that could fail, but that overall the model should be quite reliable.
Areas to look out for before purchasing
While the third-generation Megane is more refined than the model it replaces, Renault still used a variety of plastics on the interior which, over years of use, could show scratches or look a bit scruffy. Another area on the interior to inspect thoroughly is the electronics, especially if the customer is considering an earlier model.
Customers that are looking for a third-generation Megane should also keep in mind that, depending on the age and derivative, if they prefer an automatic transmission, they will either get a CVT, torque converter or EDC dual-clutch unit. While the EDC seems to be very reliable, both the CVT and torque converter gearboxes have been known to have some issues. Note that this greatly relies on how the previous owner treated the vehicle.
Last but not least on the list of areas to inspect is the particulate filter fitted to some of the diesel-powered models. If the previous owner only drove short stints, it sometimes occurs that the particulate filter will clog. However, customers considering the petrol-powered variants shouldn't experience this issue.
