Is the Renault Clio 5 expensive to maintain?
If concerns around the costs of maintaining a Renault have you second-guessing and doubting the choices on your shortlist, then fret not. We spoke with Renault to find out what one should expect to pay for services and how readily available their parts are.
You've undoubtedly heard the phrase "Friends don't let friends buy French", a term bandied about by those with a particular disdain for French vehicles. You will often find that those uttering the words are only basing their judgement on second and third-hand information and haven't actually owned a French vehicle. Renault, a French firm, gets a bad rap in South Africa because of some prior mismanagement and, admittedly, sub-par offerings in the past. But this was more than 20 years ago and much has changed.
Related: How reliable is the Renault Clio 5?
The current management of Renault (under the Motus Group) has fared far better and over the last two decades the brand has gone from strength to strength but you may still be wondering if the Renault Clio 5 is expensive to maintain.
The Renault Clio 5
Available in three trims with a single engine option serving duty in all three, the Renault Clio 5 continues the success story of its predecessor, the Clio 4. This attractive, easy-to-drive hatchback is ideal for the daily grind and will serve a small family just fine. The engine is wonderfully efficient and as a whole, the Clio is a great car to live with.
Renault Clio 5 maintenance
Launched at the beginning of 2022, the Clio 5 is sold with a comprehensive 5-year/150 000 km warranty and the sale sees the vehicle bundled with a 2-year/30 000 km service plan. Service intervals are set at 15 000 km so this service plan will cover you for two services or two years, whichever comes first. As these vehicles are still rather new, you will be able to find a used Renault Clio 5 that still has the balance of the service plan, alleviating some of the maintenance costs for at least the first year of ownership.
Should you happen to be choosing one that has more mileage than the 30 000 km service plan limit, you will be required to pay for these services yourself. The same applies if you're thinking of holding onto your Clio 5 for a little longer to the point where the service plan lapses. In this case, you'll want to know what to expect from a service bill.
We contact Renault West Rand and asked them about the anticipated service costs. Naturally, these prices are only guidelines and prices may vary from dealership to dealership although we were assured that the variances will be minimal.
Expect to pay the following:
Minor Service: Approx. R2 900
Major service (every 5th service): Approx. R8 100
Service parts for both minor and major services are first-pick and readily available while most replacement parts are first-pick as well. You can expect a delay for parts such as body panels, interior trims and some more specialized mechanical components as these may need to be flown in from the factory abroad. General consumables such as brakes and shock absorbers should not pose any problem though.
