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Photo: Rudolf Stricker, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Used Renault Safrane I: reliability, problems and review

Family car · 1992–2002 · Petrol, Diesel

✓ 3 sources cited · updated on 20 October 2026

Buy with care
Reliability
not rated
Price
Unknown

No fault publicly documented so far, so reliability is not rated. This is no guarantee: have the car checked all the more carefully before buying.

0 known faults

This guide has not been translated yet: it is shown in its original French version.

Photo: Rudolf Stricker, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo 1 of 5

Renault Safrane I, front three-quarter view

Photo: Rudolf Stricker, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Verdict

Buy with care

Grande berline haut de gamme lancée en 1992 pour succéder à la Renault 25. Nous n'avons trouvé aucun retour publié sur ses pannes ni sur sa sécurité : les informations disponibles portent sur les motorisations et sur la rare version Biturbo de 268 ch (806 exemplaires). Un examen complet par un spécialiste est indispensable.

Reliability
not rated
Euro NCAP
Rating not found

Which version to choose

Versions to favour: 2.0 16v 138.

  • 2.0 16v 138

    ✓ Recommended

    Petrol · Manual · 138 hp · Crit'Air unclassified

    Quatre-cylindres essence de 138 ch, version d'entrée de la fiche L'argus 1996 (existe aussi en boîte automatique BVA).

  • 2.2 dT 115

    Diesel · Manual · 115 hp · Crit'Air unclassified

    Diesel turbo de 115 ch listé dans la fiche L'argus 1996.

  • 2.5 20v 168

    Petrol · Manual · 168 hp · Crit'Air unclassified

    Essence de 168 ch listée dans la fiche L'argus 1996, en finitions Initiale ou RXE, avec boîte manuelle ou automatique.

Market prices

Price unknown: not enough online listings for a reliable estimate. Compare several listings before negotiating.

Importing this model

Prices abroad

Not enough listings collected yet in Germany, Belgium, Spain, Italy or the United Kingdom for this model.

You are importing the car to:

Import penalty (malus) in France

  • The CO₂ malus follows the scale of the year the vehicle was first registered, in France or abroad (WLTP or NEDC scale depending on its registration certificate).
  • For an imported used car, it is reduced by a flat-rate discount based on its age in months (scheme in force since 1 March 2025). The weight malus also applies on first registration in France.
  • Production ended in 2002: a car first registered before 1 January 2015 has no malus.

Source: BOFiP (French tax doctrine), CO₂ and weight malus · CO2 malus and weight malus: imported used car in France

Check an imported car's history

HistoVec only covers the vehicle's life in France. For a car coming from abroad, a VIN-based report helps spot inconsistent mileage or a reported accident.

Check the car's history: 20% off → (new tab)Partner link

Known faults

No fault publicly documented so far, so reliability is not rated. This is no guarantee: have the car checked all the more carefully before buying.

Manufacturer recalls

See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Renault Safrane”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.

Inspection checklist

Things to check

  • Faire expertiser la voiture : aucune liste de pannes publiée n'a été trouvée.
  • Vérifier l'état de la caisse, de la peinture et des joints : l'âge de la voiture l'impose.
  • Contrôler l'électronique et l'équipement de confort (climatisation, vitres, sièges).
  • Exiger les factures d'entretien, distribution comprise.

Questions to ask the seller

  • Quelle est la finition et la motorisation exacte (2.0, 2.2 dT, 2.5 ou V6) ?
  • Quelles factures d'entretien et de distribution pouvez-vous présenter ?
  • Quelles pièces ont été remplacées récemment ?

Test-drive tip: read the fault codes

A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.

See OBD2 scanners on Amazon → (new tab)Partner link

Electric or hybrid equivalent

No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost

Alternatives

Photo: Rudolf Stricker, CC BY-SA 3.0

Renault Laguna

II · 2001–2007

Extra caution
Price
€2,000 – €3,500
Reliability
2/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Photo: Rudolf Stricker, CC BY-SA 3.0

Renault Vel Satis

I · 2002–2009

Good choice, check first
Price
€3,000 – €4,000
Reliability
4.5/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Photo: Thomas doerfer, CC BY-SA 3.0

Renault Laguna

III · 2007–2015

Poor reliability
Price
€2,500 – €6,000
Reliability
1.5/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Before you buy: check and equip

Check the history

Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.

Read fault codes

An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.

Parts and maintenance

Compare prices of parts for the Renault Safrane I (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.

Insure the car

Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.

Frequently asked questions

Qu'est-ce que la Safrane Biturbo ?

Une version 2.9 V6 à deux turbos de 268 ch, présentée en 1992 et vendue à partir de 1993, produite à 806 exemplaires selon Caradisiac.

La Safrane est-elle fiable ?

Nous n'avons trouvé aucun retour publié sur sa fiabilité : la fiche n'affiche donc aucune panne, ce qui ne prouve pas qu'elle n'en a pas.

Found a listing?

Soon, we will analyse your Renault Safrane listing: price, mileage, watch points.

Get notified at launch