Rear axle bearings (torsion-beam axle)
usually 120,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rear wheels lean in, uneven tyre wear
Fix: Rebuild the rear axle
€300–800
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Renault Twingo I
1993–2007 · Renault Twingo 1
1
engines covered
8
known faults
3
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Renault Twingo I was built from 1993 to 2007.
For this generation we cover 1 engines and 8 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Clutch actuator / hydraulic unit: it usually appears at 80,000–160,000 km and costs €500–1,500 to fix.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 8v / 16v (Renault D7F / D4F) | Petrol | Belt · 90,000 km / every 60 mo | 5W-40 / 10W-40 · Renault RN0700 · ~4.0 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults typical of this model
Rust (rear arches, sills)
usually 100,000–300,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Bubbling paint
Fix: Rust repair
€200–800
Faults by engine
1.2 8v / 16v (Renault D7F / D4F)
Ignition coils
usually 120,000–280,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Misfire
Fix: Replace coil
€60–180
Throttle body / idle
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Unstable idle
Fix: Clean throttle body
€50–150
Oil consumption / head gasket (high mileage)
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Topping up, coolant loss
Fix: Repair
€300–900
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Quickshift / Easy-R (automated)
Clutch actuator / hydraulic unit
usually 80,000–160,000 km · High risk
Signs: Won't select a gear, 'gearbox fault', jerky shifts
Fix: Repair or replace the actuator; clutch re-learn
€500–1,500
Clutch wear (automated)
usually 80,000–150,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, harsh engagement
Fix: Replace clutch + re-learn
€500–1,000
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.2 8v / 16v (Renault D7F / D4F) 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 in the Netherlands by age
Share of this model's Dutch fleet that had a defect in each system at a roadworthiness test (APK) in 2025. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and fuel. Sample: 10,460 cars.
| age (years) | 15–19 | 20+ |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 11.5 % | 14.1 % |
| Suspension | 8.6 % | 13.1 % |
| Steering | 15.1 % | 12.9 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 18.8 % | 16.5 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 29.4 % | 28.3 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.6 % | 2.0 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 1.1 % | 3.1 % |
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.
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Possible loss of brake servo assistance02/12/2002 · R/2002/156
- Doors / locks / lids Door security concern10/01/2002 · R/2001/161
- Airbag Possible inadvertent deployment of both airbags18/09/2000 · R/2000/072
Common questions
Does the Renault Twingo I have a timing chain or a timing belt?
1.2 8v / 16v (Renault D7F / D4F): belt · 90,000 km / every 60 mo.
What are the known problems with the Renault Twingo I?
The faults with the highest risk: clutch actuator / hydraulic unit (80,000–160,000 km, €500–1,500); clutch wear (automated) (80,000–150,000 km, €500–1,000); clutch wear (120,000–200,000 km, €500–900); rear axle bearings (torsion-beam axle) (120,000–250,000 km, €300–800). The full list by engine is on this page.
What should you check when buying a used Renault Twingo I?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN that the recalls have been done (3 have been published for this model). If the engine has a timing belt, ask for the invoice for its replacement: with no proof, assume it has not been done. On the test drive, watch for these signs: won't select a gear, 'gearbox fault', jerky shifts; slipping, harsh engagement. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Other generations
Models with the same engines
These models share engines with this car, so they share some of its faults too.
Renault Clio II 1998–2012Renault Clio III 2005–2012Renault Kangoo I 1997–2008Renault Modus 2004–2012Renault Thalia / Symbol 1999–2013
Other Renault models
Renault Mégane I 1995–2002Renault Scénic I 1996–2003Renault Laguna II 2001–2007Renault Trafic II 2001–2014Renault Espace IV 2002–2014Renault Mégane II 2002–2009Renault Scénic II 2003–2009Renault Laguna III 2007–2015
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. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). 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 08/10/2026