3 Things to Consider Before you buy a Renault Wind

The decision to buy another car isn't one that should be taken lightly. In fact, a lot of research, contemplation, and work should go into the process of finding the right one. If you're thinking about buying a Renault Wind for its handsome looks and low price, it's important to consider a few questions before you make any type of final decision.

 

How are you Going to use it?

This is, perhaps, one of the most important questions you can ask yourself before buying a Renault Wind. Why? Because this type of car isn't for everyone and may not suit your needs. Here's why:

 

• First of all, the Wind is strictly a two-seater. It's made for you and one other person, no more. This isn't the car for you if you have a family that needs to be transported or want to tote your mates around on a Friday night.

 

• It's also a convertible. This cheerful car is small, but made for fun. While it can also be practical, it's a car that is bought for enjoyment and pleasure.

 

• If you're looking for luxury, you might want to look elsewhere. While the Wind has plenty of standard equipment that comes with it, its not as comfortable or luxurious as other convertibles. The steering wheel won't adjust to allow for easy reach, meaning that if you're taller, you might find it difficult to drive. The low cost of this car translates to the interior design as well, as materials used feel cheap and inferior.

 

That being said, there are some perks to this vehicle that will appeal to everyone, like its low price, spacious boot, and the generous amount of standard equipment that comes with it.

 

Is it Safe?

Renault is a company that is proud of its cars, and it ensures reliability and high safety standards with each and every one of them. One of the best features of the Renault Wind is that it offers plenty of safety features that make it a reliable care you can feel secure in. Some of the features offered are:

 

• Engine immobiliser

 

• Deadlocks

 

• Anti-lock brakes

 

• Electronic stability control

 

• Front and side twin airbags

 

In the 2010 JD Power Customer Satisfaction survey Renault was listed as 22^nd out of the 27 manufacturers in the survey, due to the high safety standards and reliability they offer.

 

Will it Pass the MOT?

Buying a car can be a scary experience, especially when you have to consider whether or not it will pass the MOT. You may be worried, especially when purchasing a used car like this, whether the car parts will hold up and what you'll need to spend in order to ensure the safety of your new vehicle.

When it comes to the Renault Wind, you can rest easy knowing that 74.4% of these vehicles pass the MOT each year. There's always a chance your Wind could end up being one of the 25.6%, though, so it's important to know what issues usually cause MOT failure so you can evaluate those problems and fix them now if they are an issue.

 

• 49.7% of MOT failures have to do with the Wind's suspension. This is often because most drivers don't notice anything wrong with their suspension or steering before they arrive for their tests. It's only when the test centres look closely that they discover problems that could be dangerous, like cracked, worn, or fractured coil springs or missing or loose shock absorbers. It's important to check for these issues, especially when buying a used vehicle. In some cases, past owners may incorrectly instal these suspension car parts or attempt to repair the Renault parts themselves without knowing what they are doing.

 

• MOT testing is all about ensuring that every driver is safe on the road. It's for that reason that 14.5% of Renault Wind failures are associated with the brakes. Failure may occur if the fluid level is too low, the brake fluid is contaminated, the pads are worn out, or if the brake booster is faulty. These issues can make it dangerous for you to drive the car, and should be repaired before the MOT in order to ensure success.

 

• 3.5% of Wind MOT failures occur because of emissions. In a 1.2 litre version of the Wind, emissions are usually 145g/km. In a 1.6 version, the emissions are 165g/km. If your vehicle is found to produce too high of emissions, there could be several Renault parts to blame. For instance, it could be caused by a faulty oxygen sensor, an ignition system that is defective, vacuum leaks, air injection system malfunctions, or an EVAP (evaporative emission control system) that isn't working right. Not only can this problem be tested during your MOT, but you may also receive an emission test at a roadside check. In both cases, your MOT certification is at risk if you don't quickly figure out what is wrong and fix it as quickly as possible.

 

• 1.2% of MOT failures are caused by anything related to electrical systems and lighting. It could be caused by that warning light flashing on your dashboard that the previous owner had been happily ignoring for months. Or it might be cause by the need to replace a head lamp bulb. Many times the fixes for these problems is easy. You might need a new bulb or need to replace a sensor. Other times, the ignored warning light was attempting to tell the car owner of a serious problem that, left untreated, now requires immediate attention. Because of this, it's extremely important to pay attention to even the smallest issues the Wind has before you buy it.

 

With its reliability and low pricing, buying a pre-owned Renault Wind may be exactly what you've been wanting to do, but don't be too hasty in your decision. Take the time to ask the right questions so you know it's the right car for you. By doing a bit of research beforehand, you can be certain it will be the car you need.