Photo: M 93, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Rudolf Stricker, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Rudolf Stricker, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: M 93, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Grande berline à l'habitacle très confortable selon les propriétaires de Fiches-auto, qui disent rouler 200 000 km et plus. Les retours publiés signalent des dysfonctionnements de calculateur sur les premiers exemplaires et d'embrayage sur les boîtes à six rapports. Euro NCAP et coffre non trouvés ; une seule source de retours.
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Indicative prices
- €3,000 – €4,000
- Euro NCAP
- Rating not found
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: dCi 150.
2.0 turbo 165
Petrol · Manual · 165 hp · Crit'Air 3
Essence turbo de 165 ch, boîte à 6 rapports ou automatique selon les avis, jugée suffisante malgré le poids ; 8 à 10 l/100 km rapportés.
dCi 150
✓ RecommendedDiesel · Manual · 150 hp · Crit'Air 4
Diesel de 150 ch : Fiches-auto conseille de le privilégier, après 2003 pour des raisons de fiabilité ; 7,2 l/100 km rapportés par un propriétaire.
3.0 dCi 180
Diesel · Automatic · 180 hp · Crit'Air 4
Diesel V6 de 180 ch avec boîte automatique ; 7,4 à 8,5 l/100 km rapportés. Un propriétaire cite 700 euros pour une courroie d'accessoires.
3.5 V6 250
Petrol · Automatic · 250 hp · Crit'Air 3
V6 essence de 250 ch avec boîte automatique ; 10,5 l/100 km à 120 km/h rapportés par un propriétaire.
Market prices
€3,000 – €4,000
Indicative range: 2002 à 2008, médianes par année de 37 annonces en ligne relevées par iAutos (années d'au moins 3 annonces).
Collected on 28 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
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 2009: 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
Paperwork and procedures
- Importing a used car from another EU country: the step-by-step process
- Importing a car from an EU country: all the documents to gather
- Carte grise for an imported car: cost, taxes and the official simulator
- CO2 malus and weight malus: imported used car in France
- Importing a used car from outside the European Union: the steps
Importing and registering in Belgium: paperwork and procedures
The French malus does not apply: registration taxes, roadworthiness test and documents depend on the country. Our guide details them, with official sources.
Importing and registering in Switzerland: paperwork and procedures
The French malus does not apply: registration taxes, roadworthiness test and documents depend on the country. Our guide details them, with official sources.
Importing a car into Switzerland: customs, tax and registration
Importing and registering in Luxembourg: paperwork and procedures
The French malus does not apply: registration taxes, roadworthiness test and documents depend on the country. Our guide details them, with official sources.
Importing and registering in the United Kingdom: paperwork and procedures
The French malus does not apply: registration taxes, roadworthiness test and documents depend on the country. Our guide details them, with official sources.
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
Note: some faults below are cited by a single source only. They are still to be confirmed and the reliability score is only indicative.
Embrayage des boîtes à six rapports (modèles jusqu'en 2005)
Severity 2/3 · CostlyFiches-auto indique que les modèles fabriqués jusqu'en 2005 ont connu des dysfonctionnements de l'embrayage, uniquement sur les véhicules à boîte à six rapports.
Single source so far: to be confirmed.
- Versions
- 2.0 turbo 165, dCi 150
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Calculateur électronique des premiers modèles
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingFiches-auto signale, sur les modèles produits jusqu'en 2002, des dysfonctionnements du calculateur électronique. Des propriétaires évoquent aussi de petits caprices électroniques passagers.
Single source so far: to be confirmed.
- Versions
- 2.0 turbo 165, dCi 150, 3.0 dCi 180, 3.5 V6 250
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Renault Vel Satis”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Inspection checklist
Renault Vel Satis I — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Privilégier les exemplaires postérieurs à 2003, surtout en dCi 150.
- Sur boîte à 6 rapports, essayer l'embrayage à fond (patinage, dureté).
- Faire lire les défauts du calculateur et tester l'électronique (régulateur, cartes, vitres).
- Contrôler la courroie d'accessoires et la poulie damper (courroie fondue citée sur le 2.0 turbo).
- Exiger l'historique d'entretien complet.
Questions to ask the seller
- Quelle motorisation et quelle boîte, et l'année exacte de mise en circulation ?
- L'embrayage, le turbo ou le calculateur ont-ils déjà été remplacés ?
- La courroie d'accessoires et la distribution ont-elles été refaites, à quel kilométrage ?
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.
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
- Price
- €2,000 – €3,500
- Reliability
- 2/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Thomas doerfer, CC BY-SA 3.0
Renault Laguna
III · 2007–2015
- Price
- €2,500 – €6,000
- Reliability
- 1.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Rudolf Stricker, CC BY-SA 3.0
Renault Safrane
I · 1992–2002
- Reliability
- not rated
- 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 Vel Satis 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
Quelle Vel Satis choisir ?
Fiches-auto conseille le dCi 150, de préférence après 2003 pour des raisons de fiabilité.
Quelle consommation sur la Vel Satis ?
Les propriétaires rapportent de 7,2 l/100 km (dCi 150) à plus de 10 l/100 km sur le 2.0 turbo automatique et le V6 essence.
Found a listing?
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