Used Renault Captur 2013-2019 reliability review

The first-generation Renault Captur is a popular and practical small SUV and a good used buy. Reliability can be an issue, though.

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• (2017 - 20)

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Reliability

Mark Pearson

Updated: 4 December 2024

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What should I look for in a used Renault Captur?

Bodywork

Many Capturs will have been used in tight car parks and on school and work runs, so it’s worth checking the bodywork for any scuffs. Also, check the alloy wheels for any kerb damage. Check the seat material for any difficult-to-remove marks and the seats’ operation, as well as that of the boot lid.

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Electrical faults

Owners have reported non-engine electrical faults the most, notably with the sat-nav and air-con systems and their controls, although most of these have been fixed free of charge within the Captur’s warranty period.

What are the most common problems with a used Renault Captur?

Dipped headlights

The headlights on some examples might not light the road ahead correctly on dipped beam. The beam sensor can be adjusted by your local Renault dealer to rectify the issue.

Front wheel hubs may crack

Some Captur models made between 22 September 2017 and 25 September 2017 suffer from cracked wheel hubs – you might hear an abnormal noise while driving as a consequence. Speak to your local Renault dealer, who will be able to tell you if your car is affected and replace the hubs for you if it is.

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Loss of braking efficiency

The front wheel-arch liners of some cars built between 1 January 2013 and 31 March 2015 could rub against the brake hoses, potentially leading to the hoses being damaged and a brake system fault warning appearing in the instrument cluster. Your dealer will be able to let you know if your car is affected and can inspect the position of the liners and the condition of your brake hoses for you, repositioning and replacing any parts where necessary.

Catalytic converter

Due to defective welding, the catalytic converters fitted to some examples made between 20 February 2018 and 14 April 2018 will need to be replaced. Speak to your dealer for further information if you think your car might be affected.

Wiring for the alternator

The electrical wiring for the alternator of some Capturs built from 8 July to 23 July 2019 could short circuit, and will need to be redirected to prevent this from happening. The alternator itself will also need to be inspected by a technician in case it needs to be replaced, so speak to a Renault dealer for further information.

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Seat belt buckle

A bolt fixing one of the seat-belt buckles to the car could either be loose or missing on some Capturs manufactured from 13 November to 20 December 2018. Speak to a Renault dealer to find out if yours is affected by this because a technician will need to check that the bolt is present and tightened correctly to prevent further issues.

Is a used Renault Captur reliable?

The 2013-2019 Captur finished in 11th place out of 22 cars in the table of small SUVs in the most recent What Car? Reliability Survey it appeared in, with a score of 95.9%. That placed it above the Dacia Duster, Nissan Juke and Volkswagen T-Roc, but below the Audi Q2, Mini Countryman and Volkswagen T-Cross.

In the same survey, Renault as a brand finished in ninth place out of 31 manufacturers with an overall score of 93.6%. That placed it above Audi, Jaguar and Volkswagen, but below Ford, Honda and Kia.

Used Renault Captur reliability: the owners' view

What Car? readers have also shared their experiences with the Renault Captur. The feedback reveals a mixed picture in terms of reliability.

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While many owners find their Captur to be generally dependable for everyday driving, there are notable concerns regarding electrical systems and engine components. Issues such as faulty warning lights and occasional engine faults have been highlighted, leading to some dissatisfaction among owners.

When it comes to dealer service, the response is equally varied. Some readers praised their dealers for providing courteous and effective service, especially in handling repairs under warranty. However, others reported frustrations with the time taken to diagnose and fix problems, as well as experiences of being returned to their cars with issues unresolved.

Overall, the Renault Captur shows a decent reliability record, but the reported electrical and engine issues, alongside mixed dealer service experiences, suggest there is room for improvement.

If you'd like to see the full reliability list, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information.

To take part in our annual reliability survey with your car, please follow the link here

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About the writer

Name: Mark Pearson

Title: Used cars editor

Follow Mark Pearson on

Mark Pearson has been a motoring journalist for more than 15 years and is currently the used cars editor for What Car?.

Mark spent his formative years at the BBC, where, at various times, he scheduled, broadcast and archived television and radio programmes and researched, wrote and produced promotional material.

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