Renault Espace road tests and consumer car reviews

Renault Espace MPV 1993

Hi Chaps! I got my Espace approx. 10 years back. It’s a 2.1 diesel turbo and is the best car I have ever bought. It’s not had too many problems; drive shaft, ball joints, brakes, discs, it’s had two clutches,one set of glow plugs and has been to LeMans 3 times. It starts first time and has done,247,000+ miles and still goes well. I think I’ll put another engine in this one when it expires. A great vehicle.

Renault Espace 2.0 DCI 150 2006

Quick summary: Issues: @ 40k miles Front ball joints Heavy front tyre wear - changing every 10-12k at £120 a corner for decent ones Electrical issues Key’s stop working Seats heavy - rear ones taken out and have to find soemwhere to store MPG - claims 39 but nearer to 32 even on decent runs. Rust on doors - renault will not do anything about it. It is not stone chips. Dealers are c**p Positives: Great for family holidays - just load it up including the kitchen sink! Very comfy Take all the seats out and you have a massive space. As a five seater it works well. Will I buy another? I’d rather put red hot pokers in my eyes first.

Renault Espace 2003

Lovely car can’t fault them. On second one which is 2.0 diesl auto. grand espace. its much more comfy than the first one, the gear box started to play up so I traded in for a 08 mod.

Renault Espace privilege 2.2 dci 2006

Got a new one in 2006, has been a pleasure (every mile of the 40.000 I did), I use it for business as a van with all the seats out, and as everyday car. Great on motorway even FULLY loaded. have to admit to some nags, like a squeaking sunroof, (a beautiful and huge one) a cd changer that sometimes needs to be reset, the auto height headlights that somehow decided one day to be really low... and yes, these heavy seats are a pain to store and of course an absolute useless service.... (but from which big company does one get good service these days???) Now going for a near new one (depreciates a little too much to start off with), the grand one this time to get that bit of luggage when going for a week end with many friends! I wish they still did the v6 and would bring out a new model (sorting out the seats) but it seems they are backtracking. Shame.

Responses to this review

Ditto. I have the same model and year, squeeky s /roof. This is the best thing I’ve ever had. Comfy ride, enough power I use it for work and pleasure Cant fault it. Have had one prob where the Traction control failed. Renault wanted £800 to fix it then gave me 20% reduction when I made a fuss. When I put it into the dealer, I wasn’t charged because the engineer said that a notice came on the Renault comp that charging the customer was optional (a yellow note he said) Good man. I’ve been looking for a new model to come out so I’m considering a Trafic. I’m up to 60k and getting a bit jittery about things going wrong. Partner has a Scenic no problems - V Crane from England

Renault Espace 1.9 DCi 2003

I really like this car for the most part and it’s enoyable to drive and great for the larger family. I do agree with others about it being heavy on front tyres though! However, I have problem with the PK type gearbox on my Espace 1.9 DCi. Specialists say it’s common, Renault do not. Is your gearbox a PK type do you know?? I’m trying to prove to Renault how common the fault is! Any comments can be sent to pkgearboxfault@hotmail.com please get all who have suffered to send details here as i require the evidence to help prevent others facing these huge repair bills.

Renault Espace 2007

This is the best vehicle I have ever had in 40 years. Im a pro Musician and took out all the back 5 seats from day one to carry my equipment. In just over 2 years I have not had a single fault. It cruises the motorways all day at over 33mpg and that’s with an auto box. The O.E.M. Michelin pilots lasted over 30,000 miles. I’ve always recieved very good service from Renault Oldham. Another 10 months and I will definitly buy a new Espace.

Responses to this review

Hi As I’ve always used a Renault Trafic converted day van I decided to use the Espace and convert it to a day van with its comfortable interior and economical fuel usage; 70 miles on a tenner of pertrol at 60mph combined motorway and local roads. The only problem I have is that every now and then I get a smell of petrol in the cab. No one seems to know where it comes from and with no leaks found enginewise the dealers are baffled. I have been told the fuel tank has a breather filter system next to the tank. All I get from the mechanics is "get rid" as they are a problem car. Mine is a 1994 model. Help! - Kevin Cocker from Lancashire

Renault Espace 2006

This is the third MkIV Espace dci I have owned, the Renault dealers are all poor ( don’t give one if you want to buy one, give even less once it is bought) the car is good, although it is heavy on front tyres. make sure when you buy one it has Michelin’s fitted. My previous two had Continentals which only lasted 11,000 miles. The extra two seats which I keep out of the car most of the time are heavy, and a pain in the arse to store, although safe integral seatbelts, individual movements etc. The car comes in to it’s own on long journeys though, fantastic on long French autoroutes packed up with all the kids and luggage, beats Ryanair every time! We wish BMW did a seven seater, the dealers, the product, and the customer care cant be beaten! take not Renault!

Renault Espace 2003 model

A stylish car, nice to drive with a good feeling of safety. On the down side though, it does need filling up far more often that I would have hoped.