Renault Master consumer car reviews and road tests

Renault Master Mm2.2 2007

Great van, which I’ve had from new and never had a problem. It has the quick shift gearbox. It’s fast economical and I get it serviced locally as I’ve found main dealers to be liars and tell you that it needs parts when it doesn’t, so beware. I’ve just bought my 3rd van. Love them!

Renault Master l2h2 2.5 2004

They are relativly cheap to buy and don’t rust, but that’s the only positive stuff I have to say about the Renault Master series. These Masters have to go down as the most unreliable Transporters of all time. Mine has been nothing but trouble from day one; gearbox, clutch, engine just cutting out, various fuel and electrical issues. Also problems with locks, breaks, bearings, steering, air con leaking or not working. The driver’s seat has worn out before it should, etc., etc. Virtually everything that can break on a vehicle, will break. This is a Transporter that basically never works right. There is ALWAYS something that needs doing to it. It is more broken than not. I think it’s a scandal that Renault can sell such a heap and get away with it. It clearly has serious faults designed into it. How can a modern company even sell such a faulty object and not go bankrupt? Easy, they don’t admit any fault and let the end user pay for everything over and over again. It’s great for them and it takes a long time for the consumer to realise what a disaster this vehicle is. There is no real way the consumer can be aware of the scale of the problems that Renault have with these Masters. You could not give me a Renault Master, I wouldn’t take it. I’d sooner walk than go through that kind of nightmare again.

Renault Master 2004

We have had this van from new and it has been a reliable vehicle. We didn’t really have anything done to it until 50,000 miles when it had new breaks all round. The tyres average 40,000 miles and we get around 34 mpg as it is always fully loaded; this is very good as our Mercedes Vito only manages 26 miles to the gallon.

Renault Master LWB 2.5 120 2008

This is our 4th one since 2000, tweaked to 154bhp and it is just as good as the previous ones. Currently on 140k the only parts fitted other than routine service are 3 sets of pads to the front, a set of discs, and a set of pads on the rear. Just removed the tyres off the rear as they had done 130k and we usually get 35k off the fronts.

Renault Master MWB 2005

I have 2.5 DCI 80hp MWB. I bought it 3 years ago with 26k on the clock. I did 35k miles in it without almost any problems. The only thing was o’ring somewhere in the clutch mechanicsm which is hydraulic. It cost me £300 incl parts to change it as whole unit had to be changed. Otherwise no problems at all. Very economical returning 32-33mpg on the motorway if you keep it at 60-65mph. About 24-25mpg in London which I think for the size is brilliant. Loading is easy as the floor is low, handling regardless of the load is very good. Medium heght roof allows to stand freely when loading which is great for my back. The only thing which could be better is noise level above 70mph. Overall a really great van.

Renault Master swb 2.8 dti 2000

Had van since new and done 225000 miles only - new gearbox and put clutch in as part. Of course it has had many different drivers; used on farm and motorway work and been worked very hard. Only let us down once - fantastic vans!

Responses to this review

We have a pair of 2008 Masters, one a LWB 120 (2.5 ltr), the other a MWB 100 (2.5ltr as well). Both on 80,000, both excellent. We ran a 2005 LWB high top for 185,000 trouble free miles and I still wonder why we ever replaced it. Superb vans - highly recommended - John Miller from Herefordshire

I bought an ’07 Master 150bhp not too long ago with 62k on the clock and all i can say is I’m sorry I ever laid eyes on the pile of scrap. It has been nothing but trouble since I got it. Fault lights keep coming on the dash and losing power, running on limp mode, and now I’ve been told that there is a whine coming out of first and second gear and the gear box could be on the way out - Greg from Ireland