Keycard reader / immobiliser
usually 60,000–200,000 km · Wear part
Signs: 'Card not detected'
Fix: Repair the card reader
€150–400
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Renault Scénic III
2009–2016 · Renault Scénic 3
5
engines covered
21
known faults
24,856
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
3
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Renault Scénic III was built from 2009 to 2016.
For this generation we cover 5 engines and 21 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is CVT belt slip / overheating (Jatco): it usually appears at 80,000–180,000 km and costs €1,500–4,000 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 100–150 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (22.2 %), suspension (17.8 %), brakes (9.9 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: suspension, steering, lights, wipers and visibility, body and corrosion. It fails less often than average on: exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 / 1.6 16v (Renault K4J / K4M) | Petrol | Belt · 90,000 km / every 60 mo | 5W-40 / 10W-40 · Renault RN0700 / RN0710 · ~4.8 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.2 TCe / DIG-T (H5Ft) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 / 5W-40 · Renault RN0700 · ~4.5 L · every 10,000 km |
| 1.5 dCi (K9K) | Diesel | Belt · 120,000 km / every 72 mo | 5W-30 · Renault RN0720 (DPF) / RN0710 · ~4.5 L · every 10,000 km |
| 1.6 dCi (Renault-Nissan R9M, also Mercedes OM626) | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 / 0W-30 · Renault RN0720 · ~5.5 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.0 dCi (Renault-Nissan M9R) | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 · Renault RN0720 · ~6.0 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults typical of this model
Electronic parking brake
usually 80,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Parking brake warning
Fix: Repair the actuator
€250–700
Faults by engine
1.4 / 1.6 16v (Renault K4J / K4M)
Ignition coils
usually 120,000–280,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Misfire, flashing engine light — very common
Fix: Replace coil (and plugs)
€60–200
Camshaft variator (VVT) rattle
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Diesel-like rattle for a few seconds on start
Fix: Replace the variator pulley with the belt
€200–400
Oil leaks (cam cover / seals)
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Oil drips, burning smell
Fix: Replace gaskets
€80–250
Timing belt tensioner (early failures)
usually 60,000–90,000 km · High risk
Signs: Belt failure bends valves
Fix: Replace belt kit with water pump on time
€250–500
1.2 TCe / DIG-T (H5Ft)
Oil consumption (piston rings)
usually 60,000–140,000 km · High risk
Signs: Low oil warning, blue smoke
Fix: Check oil every fill-up; engine repair
€1,000–3,500
Timing chain stretch
usually 80,000–150,000 km · High risk
Signs: Follows low oil; rattle
Fix: Replace chain
€800–1,500
1.5 dCi (K9K)
Injector wear
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rough idle, smoke
Fix: Replace injectors
€600–1,400
Crankshaft bearing wear
usually 180,000–280,000 km · High risk
Signs: Knock under load; worse on older engines
Fix: Keep oil changes at 10,000 km
€1,500–3,000
EGR / DPF
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode
Fix: Clean or replace
€250–1,200
1.6 dCi (Renault-Nissan R9M, also Mercedes OM626)
EGR valve / DPF
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode
Fix: Clean or replace
€300–1,500
Turbo actuator / boost pressure
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Low power, limp mode
Fix: Replace actuator
€300–900
Timing chain noise / stretch (vans)
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rattle at idle or on start — Trafic / Vivaro / Talento
Fix: Replace the chain kit
€900–1,800
2.0 dCi (Renault-Nissan M9R)
Oil level rising (DPF regeneration)
usually 60,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Oil above max — risk of engine runaway
Fix: Change oil early; RN0720 oil
€0–150
Injectors / injector seals
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Knocking, smoke
Fix: Replace
€500–1,500
DPF / EGR
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode
Fix: Clean or replace
€300–1,500
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
EDC (6 / 7-speed, dry clutch)
EDC clutch / actuator wear
usually 60,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Judder, jerky shifts, 'check gearbox'
Fix: Clutch replacement, actuator, software
€800–2,000
X-Tronic / Xtronic CVT (Jatco)
CVT belt slip / overheating (Jatco)
usually 80,000–180,000 km · High risk
Signs: Whine, judder, shudder, limp mode when hot
Fix: Fluid change every 60,000 km; valve body or rebuild
€1,500–4,000
DP0 / AL4 (4-speed automatic)
DP0 / AL4 solenoids / pressure regulator
usually 80,000–180,000 km · High risk
Signs: Gearbox warning, limp mode, harsh shifts
Fix: Solenoids / pressure sensor; fluid change
€300–1,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.4 / 1.6 16v (Renault K4J / K4M) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Timing belt kit + water pumpEngine | every 90,000 km or every 60 months | €450–900 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 24,856 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 | 250+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 2.9 % | 6.5 % | 9.9 % | 12.4 % | 12.7 % | 12.1 % |
| Suspension | 5.7 % | 12.1 % | 17.8 % | 22.5 % | 22.9 % | 24.6 % |
| Steering | 0.9 % | 4.7 % | 9.1 % | 11.1 % | 12.1 % | 11.2 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 4.8 % | 4.8 % | 7.0 % | 8.0 % | 8.4 % | 10.4 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 11.6 % | 14.6 % | 22.2 % | 26.4 % | 29.0 % | 32.9 % |
| Body and corrosion | 3.9 % | 5.3 % | 6.3 % | 6.7 % | 6.3 % | 4.8 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 1.1 % | 1.6 % | 2.8 % | 4.6 % | 4.6 % | 6.3 % |
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (3). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Airbag Side air curtain may not deploy01/09/2017 · R/2017/172
- Engine / loss of power Rear bolts on front seat runner may not be torqued correctly04/11/2016 · R/2016/199
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Engine power and/or braking efficiency may be affected08/01/2016 · R/2016/001
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 07/10/2026