2014 Renault G 1.5L Diesel · LX64 NCY

The 1.5-litre (1461cc) diesel in this Renault G is a common Renault/Nissan unit and typically returns 55–65 mpg in mixed driving, depending on condition and driving style. Real-world figures from owners of similar-age Renault diesels cluster around the low 60s. Fuel cost for 10,000 annual miles would therefore be in the region of £1,300–£1,600 at current diesel prices.

Road tax for a 2014 diesel of this engine size falls in a relatively high band — VED is likely £150–£210 per year for this registration, and any vehicle originally list-priced above £40,000 would attract the additional £390 supplement, though most Renault G models sat below that threshold. Insurance group data is not available for this specific model code, but small Renault diesels of this era typically sit in groups 8–14, suggesting premiums in the £400–£700 range for an average driver.

Maintenance costs are likely to be modest in normal use, but this particular vehicle's MOT record suggests imminent spend on suspension and steering. Allowing for routine servicing, an MOT, tyres, and the suspension/steering work discussed above, total annual running costs are estimated at £1,800–£2,400.

Begin with a physical check of the nearside front suspension: jack the car and rock the wheel to feel for play in the lower arm ball joint. Use a pry bar under the tyre to detect any clunking or movement — a worn ball joint will be obvious. Also inspect the nearside steering rack inner joint by turning the wheel lock-to-lock with the engine off and listening for knocking, and check the rack boots for splits or grease leakage. Both items were flagged in 2025 and not recorded as repaired in the subsequent test.

Inspect the offside rear fog lamp lens and housing — confirm the lens is intact, the bulb functions, and the offside rear reflector (which was recorded as missing in January 2025) is present and correctly mounted. Check headlamp alignment visually by parking on level ground facing a wall; both headlamps should produce an even, horizontal beam pattern. Verify the wipers clear the screen effectively across the whole swept area and that the washer system produces fluid at both front and rear.

Finally, examine the exhaust mid-section from underneath — in 2025 the silencer was recorded as insecure and broken at the mid section, which on a 2014 vehicle suggests either a road-trauma incident or severe corrosion. Check all mounting rubbers, look for blue smoke on start-up (indicating turbo or piston wear on this diesel), and inspect the rear subframe and suspension bushes for surface rust. A pre-purchase inspection by a Renault specialist or an RAC/AA check is strongly recommended given the breadth of the 2025 failure.