We no longer present the Scénic today. The first generation, launched by Renault in 1996, cleared the way for the compact MPV concept. So, based on Mégane, the brand’s compact, the designers have stretched everything upwards for more space and trunk volume, increased practical aspects, while maintaining a price much lower than large minivans, such as Space to stay at Losange.
The second generation of Scénic, released in 2003, completely changed its architecture. It already exists in a short version of 4.30 m and a long version for 5 or 7 seats of 4.50 m. And it integrates much more modern equipment, thanks to multiplexing. But it is precisely this which will create electronic problems, while even the engines, gearboxes, EGR valve, injectors, turbo, make their own…
In fact, until the models after the 2006 restyling, overall reliability is catastrophic. As for the Laguna 2 of the same era, as for the Mégane 2 obviously, which lends it its platform. And like other models, the Scénic’s brand image will suffer. Customers are starting to learn that reliability is a red flag, and sellers are finding it more difficult to sell opportunities. They have to sell out. A bit of the same phenomenon as with the Stellantis/PSA models today, when they are equipped with 1.2 PureTech.
However, the restyled version of the Scénic 2, like the restyled Laguna 2, has completely raised the bar (and even a little earlier in fact). No more problems, especially mechanical, and almost no more electronic problems.
But the damage was done, and even these models with above-average reliability, ultimately, will have difficulty finding second-hand buyers, the first models having destroyed their reputation.
Suddenly, on the Scénic 2, it’s a bargain fair. Very good even sometimes.
A Scénic from €400? It’s possible! But for €1,800, it will be in good condition
In fact, and even in the columns of La Centrale, even more so in the right corner, the first prices first make you think of big scams… But no, there are really models displayed at this price. Obviously, they are no longer new, as you can imagine, whether mechanically or on the body side. Some are broken down and none have technical control. Suffice to say that only mechanics or “export” specialists will be interested…
If we are only interested in the restyled models, that is to say after 2006, the “real” first prices are around €1,800 on La Centrale and €1,500 on the good corner. For this price, you will be entitled to a 1.6 110 hp petrol model from 2006 with more than 180,000 km or a 1.5 dCi 105 or 1.9 dCi 130 diesel from 2006, sometimes 2007, with more than 250,000 km. That is a discount of -93% in either case.
But you have to look at the competition.
For a Volkswagen Touran for example, a slightly older model, from 2004, in TDI 140 diesel, it’s on average €2,500 for 340,000 km! To stay around 250,000 km, you have to put €3,300 on the table. Almost double that for a Scénic. And that’s a discount of -89%. For a 1.6 102 hp or FSI 115 hp petrol model, 200,000 km you have to spend on average €3,500, or -85% average discount.
If we take a Ford Focus C-Max, and exclude vehicles without MOT and broken down, you have to pay at least €3,000 for a 1.6 petrol 100 hp or 2.0 TDCi 133 from 2005/2006 and around 240,000 km. That is a maximum average discount of -84% for gasoline and -87% for diesel.
For a second generation Toyota Verso, from 2004 to 2007, VVT-i 110 hp petrol or D4-D 136 diesel, you need to count on a minimum of €3,100 (excluding a single good deal of €2,100), i.e. an average discount of – 87%.
Now let’s take a more high-end Scénic 2, from 2008 for example, less than 150,000 km, in 2.0 dCi 150 or 1.6 111 hp, in Luxury Privilege or Exception finish. It will only cost €4,500 on average, and €6,000 at the most expensive. That’s a discount of -83% on average.
An equivalent Volkswagen Touran, from 2007/2008, in 1.9 TDI 105 or 1.4 TSI 140, will be priced between €6,000 and €9,000! That is a discount of between -78% and -68% only! And what’s more, it’s impossible to find around 150,000 km, it will have more like 200,000 km.
A 2008 Citroën C4 Picasso, less than 150,000 km, in 1.6 HDI 110 or 2.0 HDI 138 diesel, sells for between €5,000 and €7,000, a discount of between -83% and -75%. And yet it is not known for keeping up the odds either.
Finally, an Opel Zafira 2 for example, still from 2008, still less than 150,000 if possible, in diesel 1.9 CDTi 100 or 1.7 CDTi 125, will be at least €6,000, or €5,000 for more than 220,000 km. .. The average discount is therefore -75%
THE ASSESSMENT
Unfortunately for it, the Scénic 2 suffers from the bad reputation of its first models in terms of reliability. However, since 2006, the models have (almost) been cited as examples, and therefore good second-hand deals, because they are sold at unbeatable prices. And in addition to low face prices, discounts are also much faster compared to the price of new than small competitors. Even the Citroën C4 Picasso. And if we focused our attention on the short Scénic, know that the phenomenon is the same for the long 7-seater version.
So if you have a family, you like the practicality and volume of the Scénic, and your budget is nevertheless small, don’t hesitate to take the plunge. Please note, we repeat, for models after 2006 only. But then you will get a good deal.
