So far, my 1999 Megane ranks as the most reliable car I've owned over significant mileage, 100K, needing just a sensor and a wheel bearing if i recall. Far more reliable than my Golf which I owned previously to about 80K and it didn't fill with water either. But I know of many poor examples in the subsequent decade amongst friends and colleagues. But always nice to drive and comfortable. My favourite Renault-- the 5 Gordini.

I like French cars. I have had a Citroen GS auto- great little car but rusty, A Renault 30 V6 auto- great car, I loved the Rover SD1 but very prone to breakdown of all kinds,and a few years ago a Peugeot 407 2L diesel auto, another very good car.

SO would I buy another French car? Yes.

I have recently joined the SUV brigade and have a Honda CRV as I would never buy anything JLR. ( My son has a Defender and pays a lot for the privilige of driving about in a noisy, unreliable, uncomfortable relic, and my experience of R.Rover is not a good one.)

The first truly well built car my dad bought was a Renault 14 back in 1978. Compared the previous collection of Avenger, Cortina, Minx, Viva etc he had owned it was brilliant. Other than an oil change every 6 months and a service every year it never saw a garage. No rattles, no water leaks, lovely ride and seats, it was brilliant.

That was until it went for its first MOT, it failed on rusty brake pipes. Shorty after the exhaust snapped off, the radiator sprung a leak, the paint on the bonnet cracked to a broken ice pattern and huge water blisters formed on the sills. Time to get rid.

But nobody would offer a decent PX so despite the problems another Renault seemed to be the only solution, even they did not want it.

He got a brilliant deal on a Talbot Horizon which with the exception of one issue a few days after delivery was every bit as good as the Renault except it passed it first MOT with no issues and did not start to dissasemble itself shortly after. For the record that was a Fench built car and not a Coventry one.

He was never tempted to buy a Renault again.

I've known a few MK1 and MK2 Clio owners who have rarely had any issues other than the usual wear and tear.