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Renault Trafic Road Test Reports and Car Reviews

Renault Trafic

3 stars - average customer rating
Average driver rating ( based on 28 driver reviews ) | Read all reviews
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The Renault Trafic is a compact panel van with real personality and presence. It’s striking looks make this van stand out from the crowd, the Trafic, however, is not just a pretty face. Available in a range of styles, engine sizes, wheelbases and heights, the Trafic is a real work-horse that will suit any type of business you run and whatever cargo you need to transport. From refrigerated to basic panel the Trafic has a van for you.

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Renault Trafic reviews by year of make:   2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008  Read all reviews

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Renault Trafic Car Reviews

Mark Boaden, Kent

Renault Trafic 2006

5 star review

I have eight Renault vans, 6 Trafic’s and two Master’s - had Ford and Vauxhall vans too - but Renault by far the best. The Vauxhall’s spent more time in the garage than working. Ford had a fuel problem - took 10 weeks to fix. No major problems with Renault’s, our vehicles do 80,000 miles per year. Master vans side doors are rubbish though - don’t close properly after the 1st week.

Submitted: 04/06/2009 08:47:31

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Chris McDonald, Northern Ireland

Renault Trafic 1.9dci 100bhp 2005

3 star review

I have just bought a 2005 Renault Trafic 1.9dci 100bhp with 50k miles. Drives very good, easy to run and nice to handle. I gave the van a full service and then noticed at road ends the van would stall. Put the van onto the computer and it said broken "fly wheel tooth", at the end up it was a broken wire. Fixed by Renault for £148. A week later the master cylinder to the clutch has packed in so it is hard to know what to think, but will keep you posted.

Submitted: 02/06/2009 08:51:55

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Daniel Schofield, Nottinghamshire

Renault Trafic sl29 dci swb 2004

2 star review

What a crock of s**t. I would advise anybody who is thinking of buying a van with this engine to seriously think again. It is nice to drive, comfy and a great size but the mechanics/electrics are c**p and it is not reliable in the slightest, in my experience. I have had a new gear box, clutch, alternator, EGR valve, air mass sensor plus numerous other bits and bobs. I would stay STAY CLEAR.

Submitted: 11/05/2009 08:52:40

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Michelle, Scotland

Renault Trafic 2006

1 star review

DON’T buy this muck. It was the worst van I have bought. I had one which we got and had extra seats and a pull down ramp fitted and parts for a wheel chair to clip into this. It was bought brand new and on arriving at my home the electrics were faulty 3 months later. Renault tried again and again to fix; then the roof started to leak and the power steering went, then the gear box went - all before the car was a year old! What a pile of tin.

Submitted: 06/05/2009 11:28:09

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Martin Bath, Hampshire

Renault Trafic 100bhp Trafic 2004

2 star review

I bought this van brand new, my problem was the paintwork (unfortunately I bought a red one) and after 18 months white cloudy circles started to show - first on the bonnet then on most of the panels. I took it to my Renault dealer and the first thing he said to me was "Renault won’t be interested in this" (van still under warranty). I even had a phone call from France, all they did was to cut the paintwork back. It lasted a couple of years. Had to sell it before I wanted to due to deterioration. I don’t rate Renault after-sales or my local dealer (Fish Bros.) and would not buy another Renault ever.

Submitted: 14/04/2009 11:58:01

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Mike Lane, Dorset

Renault Trafic 2002

1 star review

I bought the van in 2002. The current mileage is 100250 miles. I run a small business and (would like to) do 20k miles per year. This van is about to have its third replacement gearbox!! at £1400 each. It has had numerous electronics problems 2x BDC sensors, 1x various immobiliser components ie ’black boxes’. 1x Hydraulic steering pump. 1x Windscreen (stress fractures). And finally just out from having its fuel pump and cam sensor replaced the van is making a high pitch whining sound from the gearbox!!! I will NEVER buy a Renault van again. I also have an 03 Trafic which has had very similar faults. Both have a very poor reliability history.

Submitted: 31/03/2009 15:05:45

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Steve Le Pelley, England

Renault Trafic Flama 6 2006

1 star review

I’m from Guernsey, but now live in France. In Dec 06 bought brand new Trafic with 2 year warranty in France. Just 3 days after end of warranty hydraulic pump & cylinders failed. Renault France repaired all for free. On 28/12/08 whilst in Guernsey master & slave cylinders failed for clutch hydraulics. £1350 to repair. Renault UK tell me it’s an occurring fault with the Master range, seems also to be with the Trafic’s, having browsed the web. Renault have offered to pay 50% of cost. This morning had meeting with advocate to pursue through courts as Renault France failed to answer just one question; is it possible that they have inadvertently used parts from their supplier that may have been substandard? I have had many more problems too numerous to mention on this site plus 2 recalls one only just before Christmas; the last regarding a possible brake defect.

Submitted: 23/02/2009 10:10:33

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Jason Kennedy, Kent

Renault Trafic 115psi lxb 2008

4 star review

I bought a brand new van 26 Oct 2008 and have already driven over 8000 miles. Fantastic drive, very comfortable and am getting over 31mpg which, considering I’m a courier is very good! Much more than my trusty old Sprinter! Driving position and seats are excellent, gearbox is a bit sloppy but the 6 speed is really nice. Good overall torque and performance especially when loaded! Excellent handling even down nasty country lanes, smooth and quite on the motorways too! Have noticed a few rust spots and runs in paint - will mention this to garage but Kent is not frozen all the time so am not throwing my teddy in the corner over it! As I did with all previous vans I will do weekly checks and get the van serviced on time - do this and life is easy!!! It’s a work van at the end of the day!

Submitted: 30/12/2008 11:36:38

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James Meadow, Lancashire

Renault Trafic 1.9 dci 2008

3 star review

I have had problems with egr valve - manifold over pressurising fault - loss of power fault until turbo kicks in and handbrake sticking when weather is very cold. Lucky I have equipment to fix it or else god knows how much it would have cost. But... when it runs right its ok to drive, its permanently at max weight as I carry tools all the time, the brakes could do with being more powerful, and the engine has not got enough torque when not in turbo range but when i first got the van and it was empty it drove brilliantly. It also drove well at about 75% capacity but any more and it struggles. It seems that all modern vans are the same; too much electronics to go wrong for nothing and cost an arm and a leg to fix if you can’t do it yourself and if you can you end up with a headache, that goes for you to Mr Mercedes and you Henry Ford; bring back the old Transit - it may have been slow and noisy but it always worked.

Submitted: 30/12/2008 08:42:14

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Sid, Norfolk

Renault Trafic 2004

4 star review

I had the same problem but I had a rattle so, being under warranty I took it to Renault and they told me it was the dual mass fly wheel making the rattle so they took it in only to find out my van had a solid fly wheel - do they know what there on about? I thought they would of checked the serial number on the van first? So they put it all back together with a new clutch & master cylinder & wanted £1000. I told them they got me in the garage under false pretences & only paid £200 - never trust main dealers. I have a 54 plate that carries its maximum wait every day and I get around 42 mpg which I think is pretty good... and I don’t hang around.

Submitted: 12/12/2008 17:03:11

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Ray, Lanarkshire

Renault Trafic DCi 100 LWB

5 star review

Hi, I bought a Trafic DCi 100 LWB, my first new van. It seems to go through airflow meters - an average of 25k each time. I had wiring loom under bonnet replaced - most things covered by the good warranty they have. Fuel economy ranges between 38 and 44mpg, the most I’ve had is 780miles to a full tank. I got 74,000 miles out of rear pads and 87,000 out of the front. It has now turned 3 years old and has 180,000 miles on it and still no real problems. I was going to renew but the resale I was offered was £1500 - so keeping it for the moment. This van runs part loaded at 2750kgs all the time since new. Anyone thinking about getting one - I would definitely recommend.

Submitted: 08/12/2008 10:01:01

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Phil Crompton, Cheshire

Renault Trafic LL29 140

2 star review

Got rid of under powered Volkswagen Transporter 2.5 tdi to buy Trafic 140 in February 2005. Climbing mountains whilst working in Europe, Transit was a dog whilst loaded with tools, Renault was a dream. Last year at 20,000miles major service, new track rod ends. Warned that brakes were 50% worn. This year problems with turbo-lag. Foot down; then wait a bit, not good when starting from lights etc... Fuel consumption up, major flat spot at approximately 30mph. No signs of problems on computer read out . Going in the shop Monday the 8th of December 2008 for full service and checks. Relatively low mileage of 37K.

Submitted: 03/12/2008 15:52:30

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Fraser Muir, Scotland

Renault Trafic 2008

1 star review

Hi readers, just to let you know. I got my van back; great so I thought. The garage told me that they had painted the car all over - this was a lot of lies - all they had done was use a paint brush and painted straight over the rust now the van looks worse than before. I am now very angry and all the sanding down was done with a course sand paper and not smooth so now the van also has big sandpaper scratches all over the car. I went back to the garage ready to kill someone; these people are like time-share salesmen - always telling a pack of lies. I have a meeting with the owner of the garage and now doing TV and newspaper reports for any readers wanting to buy a new van. I would not recommend it. If you could see the state of my van with your eyes you would run a mile from Renault.

Submitted: 28/11/2008 08:40:24

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Fraser Muir, Scotland

Renault Trafic 2008

2 star review

Hi readers - just to let you know that my van has been back in the garage for the last four days and no one has contacted me yet to let me know what is happening to my rust bucket of a new van. I am very angry with the customer service of all the Renault garages so I have contacted customers rights and try to get in contact with radio and TV companies to forward my complaints. These people who work in these garages need a good kick in the back side.

Submitted: 25/11/2008 08:28:14

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Nenad Koprivica, Scotland

Renault Trafic LH1 dci 100 2003

5 star review

You can talk as long as you wish, but this is the best commercial vehicle I have ever drive (this is not just mine suppose) !!!!! Good performance, little consumption, very very comfortable vehicle, you can enjoy in drive like in much expensive vehicles!!!!! There was no bigger problems at all, just drive your Trafic in service regularly to regularly services and there will be no problems, and drive him normally with enjoy!! p.s. try to put chip with 30% more power, and enjoy, it’s less consumption, I have this chip more then 2 years and I’m very pleased! ;-)

Submitted: 17/11/2008 08:45:28

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Nicholas Chell, Staffordshire

Renault Trafic DCI 80 2005

4 star review

Had the van brand new 2005. Good driving position and quite comfortable to drive and in my opinion looks pretty good. Not that good on fuel though! Probably about 22-25 mpg. Had no problems at all with van until yesterday when clutch peddle fell to the floor and I was unable to drive home. Towed to garage by my mate (same van as me, no problems up to yet!) where mechanic says they will have to drop engine out to see what has gone wrong. Sounds like it is going to be an expensive job!!! Van has done 30,000 miles.

Submitted: 10/11/2008 16:37:21

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Frasier Muir, Scotland

Renault Trafic 2008

5 star review

I have just bought a brand new Renault Trafic on the 26 of October 2008. The following day I was washing my van and I noticed there was already rust on the roof so I went back to the dealership and they were not very helpful and they are thinking about spray painting the roof again but now I have noticed there is rust everywhere on the van - how could this car be able to be sold like this or even allowed to leave the garage in this state? Why should I accept the van to be spray painted and all the rust sanded out when the car is brand new. So, I am trying to get a new van which I think I am owed. At the moment I am talking to lawyers so stay tuned.

Submitted: 05/11/2008 15:51:16

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Dave Balfour, Scotland

Renault Trafic dCi 100 SL27 2004

1 star review

This was my second Trafic - the first has major fuel system problems (2 new fuel pumps, new injectors, new tank, new alternator, new power steering pump etc etc) but as the dealers were very good I tried a Renault again. Unfortunately this one has had major problems also. As the back brakes were sticking (after being checked 6 times at the dealers), it required 2 new back disks and pads. Just before the warranty expired, it wasn’t starting just as it should for a few months and I thought it was just needing a service (which was due soon). About 2 months after the warranty ran out, it was getting really difficult to start so I had a quick look on the web at the forums - it seemed that it might be a problem with the TDC sensor - a common problem seemingly and about £100 to fix. I put it into the Renault dealer and they said it was a faulty injector at £440 to fix. I complained to Renault UK who eventually said they would cover 50% of the cost as it was just out of warranty. Unfortunately, the cylinder head was destroyed (somehow) and (all of a sudden) the 4 injectors were faulty. It ended up costing (with the 50%) discount over £1,500 to put right. Now a few months later, the clutch is slipping and the water pump is leaking and there is an oil leak from somewhere (I think oil is leaking onto the clutch). I have given Renault 2 tries by buying 2 new vans but although they are nice to drive they are quite greedy on fuel and seem to be catastrophically unreliable. Please also note that both vans did break down because of the EGR valve at least once and had to be towed home. I am never buying another Renault.

Submitted: 26/08/2008 11:01:51

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John Carson, England

Renault Trafic 115 dci lwb 2007

5 star review

The van is a year old and has done 18,000 miles without a problem. Comfy to drive; great with fuel; only downside is the lwb version isn’t that long. Could have done with being just that little bit longer. Value for money though and I will be buying another in 3 years time.

Submitted: 26/08/2008 10:57:41

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Keith Tate, Yorkshire

Renault Trafic 2001

1 star review

Where do I start? My father has owned Renault cars for many years which prompted me to buy a Traffic. I got it at 18 months old 19250 miles. First day out the power steering pump fell off 2 miles from home, was towed to local garage to be told that warranty was void cause it had missed first service. To cut a long story short I had to threaten dealers with newspaper before they agreed to foot the bill, next thing severe over revving when dipping clutch to change gear, was told this was normal for common rail diesel engines to run - what a load of bo????ks - change of dealer time, to cut another story, 7 trips to Renault at 36 quid each on the machine, intermittent fault that’s cancelled when ignition is switched off. After leaving it with them to look at again whilst in for a service was told that there was a known fault known by Renault and they agreed to do it under warranty (although they hadn’t actually witnessed it). Collect van to see it over revving before I got it out of the car park - took it straight back in which a mechanic came out with me on a test but because I’d had the ignition off it had reset itself. Eventually the mechanic spotted it whilst in car park when we got back and took it straight in whilst I was told to go to reception. 1.5 hours later I was told that the main mechanic was now on the case (now I aint been funny but why the hell wasn’t he on from day one) - 45 mins later was given my keys and told it was done, was also told the computer had finally picked up the problem and it was showing the the pressure switch on the back of the clutch was faulty but he had just changed it, it turned out to be a loose wire on the van side of the switch but I was reassured that I was not going to be charged for the computer - wupeedddo - what about all the other 36 quids????????????????? and the last rant as about the fuel economy or lack of it I was informed that these vans would do 40 to a gallon - what another load of boll???s The guy that recorded that lie must of sat on a oval test track at 55mph in 6th gear because I’ve tested it in many ways, full, empty, loaded, unloaded, driven steady, absolutely caned and the best I ever got was 29 miles to the gallon. To which after buying was told by dealer that that wasn’t bad for a van of its size, tuck up like a kipper should have kept my old Iveco, reason for looking on this forum? Turbo and gear linkage has just gone another hire van on go they love me down there regards AND PS I WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER RENAULT

Submitted: 31/07/2008 10:50:38

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Conor Cullinane, Northern Ireland

Renault Trafic 2008

2 star review

Van is only 2 weeks old. A new master cylinder & slave cylinder are needed. The van has been off the road for a week so far as they don’t have a slave cylinder in stock. I’m very disappointed as this is my third Trafic van & its not off to a great start. By the way there are only 2k on the clock.

Submitted: 19/05/2008 09:18:17

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Sam, County Antrim

Renault Trafic LL29 dci100 2005

4 star review

I have driven this van from new and everything was great until about two years in (just when the warranty expired). The first thing to go was the crank shaft sensor. The next thing, around 95k was the clutch slave cylinder, which I gather from all comments I have been able to find online is a common problem with this and all vans with the same body type (Nissan and Vauxhall). It is not a small job with these vans to fix it either. All that taken into account I would definitely buy a Trafic again, the only change I would make is to get a tail lift door instead. It is great to drive and on long journeys it is not as tiring as a car is. If only Renault would get it together with their customer services for issues that are clearly design flaws, hence the 4 stars instead of 5.

Submitted: 11/04/2008 11:01:35

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Andy Worrall, Cheshire

Renault Trafic 2005

4 star review

Going to start good to bad, This van is stylish value for money quick and ace to drive. Like they say it drives as a car would , Big fuel tank for those long miles. Miles let me just say the traffic does not like them, At 40k a new turbo was needed, At 60k 2 new track rod ends now at just 70k the clutch is slipping only 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th, 1st 2nd are ok . I think that R gear is to hi putting a lot of strain on the clutch. Engine at the moment would seem to be sound. The van has been over serviced but it works hard for it ........... After all that, there is only one thing left to comment on. NO RUST well done Renault. Note to all, try putting a set of 17" wheels and low pro tyres on as it goes round a corner like stink.

Submitted: 25/03/2008 09:54:47

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Steve, Nottinghamshire

Renault Trafic 2005

1 star review

We have five vans ( Traffic) of different ages from 05 up to 57 ,we now have two in the garage one with 96k and one with 112k that require new engine’s , as this happed to anybody else. The two in question are on three year lease which expires in May 08 Renault have refused to help with the cost of the repair due to high mileage, is it high mileage for working vans ?

Submitted: 15/01/2008 09:50:13

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Paul Kelly, London

Renault Trafic 2003

2 star review

Have had a clutch problem on Trafic van since 36,000 kms (21,000miles). Full clutch kit and slave cylinder changed as i couldn’t select gear because pedal would not travel full distance up. 15000 kms (9000 miles) later, i’m getting clutch slippage in 3rd to 6th gears but not 1st and 2nd gears. Renault Australia are dragging their feet. This is my business as i do carpet & tile/grout cleaning. The dealers themselves have been very helpful, but Renault head office are looking for a way out i feel. Apart from this problem, i love the van, it looks great and is so economical. If they fix this problem i don’t know whether to keep van or not, because if it happens again i just can’t afford to have it off the road again. Renault needs to work on customer service, not just future design, otherwise people will steer away from their products.

Submitted: 18/12/2007 09:14:29

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Sunny Singh, England

Renault Trafic 2002

1 star review

No review submitted.

Submitted: 10/12/2007 09:42:54

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Graeme Burns, Caithness

Renault Trafic LL29DCI 2004

5 star review

No review submitted.

Submitted: 10/12/2007 09:41:42

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Daniel Garret, Norfolk

Renault Trafic SL27 dCi 100 2007

5 star review

This van really stands out from the crowd thanks to some very stylish bodywork. Getting your company name noticed whilst on the road is not to be underated and this van certainly achieves that. The van itself is very easy and enjoyable to drive and comes with a good standard spec. Excellent value for money.

Submitted: 26/11/2007 09:45:04

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