Renault Bonet Faults *Urgent Help*

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Marker wrote: »

My accident happened in August, acar ploughed into the drivers side of my car, it wasnt at high speed though -do you think that could have affected it.

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In a word NO, if it was a side impact as you suggest, that should not have caused any problems at the bonnet release.


I think that Renault are being very unreasonable over this, they know full well that these cars have a history of this happening.

Lemonade_Pockets

If your car is a clio III i.e. the latest model, the bonnet catch design is different from the previous generation.
All the "problems" documented by watchdog etc are therefore largely irrelevant as these apply specifically to the clio II between 2001 and 2005 iirc.

The recalls everyone is speaking in relation to this about are in essence to lubricate the catch mechanism to ensure it secures the bonnet. But again if yours is the latest model then it irrelevant. Unless something has changed recently the mechanisms were seldom changed.

I'm not accident investigator but i would guess its unlikely that you will get anything more than a small goodwill gesture out of this. It will be effecitvely your word against theirs.

n.b. if there have been documented problems and + recalls on the clio III in the last 6 months that have escaped my attention since i left Renault, then i take it all back.

Marker_2

MInes a Clio Rush 05 -isthat a clio III?

Lemonade_Pockets

no its a clio II

Sorry i was confused by the service ladies comment. A "new clio" would normally be referring to clio III even though they were still both being produced and sold brand new.

I would ring Renault Customer services and see what they have to offer. Explain politely that you realise there has been "issues" with the catches, and ideally tell them that it has been properly maintained by a Renault Dealer (they can check so don't tell porkies if you haven't), it is now part of the renault service schedule to check the operation of these catches, also as a general rule they will and should check it if you take it in for any other work - make of this what you will. You will still be lucky to get anything substantial. If you can get them to pay for the bonnet repairs etc you doing very well. Try and play down the accident as this will not go in your favour. If its has been into a Renault dealer since the accident, i would innocently ask if their mechanics are supposed to check the catches when a car comes in.
If you haven't had it serviced by renault expect a big **** off pill!

P.s. not biased and i'm not condoning renault as it was clearly badly designed but just trying to provide some realist view of what the outcome will be.

Marker_2

Lemonade_Pockets wrote: »

no its a clio II

Sorry i was confused by the service ladies comment.

I would ring Renault Customer services and see what they have to offer. Explain politely that you realise there has been "issues" with the catches, and ideally tell them that it has been properly maintained by a Renault Dealer (they can check so don't tell porkies if you haven't), it is now part of the renault service schedule to check the operation of these catches, also as a general rule they will and should check it if you take it in for any other work - make of this what you will. You will still be lucky to get anything substantial. If you can get them to pay for the bonnet repairs etc you doing very well. Try and play down the accident as this will not go in your favour. If its has been into a Renault dealer since the accident, i would innocently ask if their mechanics are supposed to check the catches when a car comes in.
If you haven't had it serviced by renault expect a big **** off pill!

P.s. not biased and i'm not condoning renault as it was clearly badly designed but just trying to provide some realist view of what the outcome will be.

I have been in touch will renault, they 'inspected' the car and they decision was it was down to poor maintenance why the bonnet flew open. THey dropped my car off earlier after having it for2weeks, windscreen still smashed and bonnet still dented ........ not sure where totake this next really. Car is due service end of this month funnily enough, only had the car 2 years, always serviced and MOTd ontime.

Lemonade_Pockets

Ok, by Renault do you mean the Dealer or Renault themselves.

If your referring to the dealer, next stop is Renault Customer Services.

Or if you have done that and Renault UK have inspected themselves and refused to do anything. Then you can either go small claims or to watchdog, what car et al. I'd be surprised if anything came of it as has been pointed out on here you are not the first to try this route and i don't think anyone else has had great success - but it may be worth researching.
If it was me i'd do my kicking and screaming bit with the dealer and Renault UK, then give it up as a lost cause. The stress of taking it further probably isn't worth it.

slummymummyof3

Is it worth getting an independent engineer to take a look and get a report done? This will then (if found to be in your favour) give you some leverage against their 'poor maintainenance' claim

How much are the repairs going to cost? Will the costs of independent engineer be financially worthwhile? Although should he find in your favour you should also get these costs back. I used an independent engineer for my car which needed a replacement engine, my car had run out of warranty and had, had a long running history of problems, was found to be factory fitted with the wrong size pistons - I was repeatedly told by the dealer there was nothing wrong with it and I was just being neurotic! Strangely enough on receiving the report from engineer - manufacturer suddenly wanted to pay for my new engine!

mini_lidi

I have just brought a 52 clio expression, i brought it through a family friend. So should i go get this bonnet catch checked out or is it ok?

Lemonade_Pockets

Pop it into you local friendly Renault Dealer who will be more than happy to check it for you (this should be done FOC)!