Renault Captur 1
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The Captur I (2013–2019) is a small crossover on the Clio IV base and one of the first mini-SUVs in its class. Typical buyers drive little, so many examples are well preserved despite their age. The 2017 facelift brought a reworked front and, from early 2019, the new 1.3 turbo. As with its Clio sister, the engine decides.
The community favourite is the K9K (1.5 dCi, Euro 6 from 2015) with a manual: a proven diesel, a real ~5.5 l/100 km, good for 200,000 km with care. Definitely choose Euro 6 — Euro 5 diesels are risky for low-emission zones. The late H5H (1.3 TCe, from 2019, developed with Mercedes) is regarded as rarely troublesome but sits only in the last Captur I. The H4B (0.9 TCe) works as a city car with low mileage.
The risk is the H5F (1.2 TCe): notorious timing-chain wear, documented from 20,000 to over 100,000 km — no safe window. Chain plus tensioner costs around $1,400; ignore the rattle and you face an engine swap at $7,500–8,500. Add the high oil use (up to 1 litre per 1,000 km declared "normal"). Just as tricky: the EDC dual-clutch, which can lose whole gear sets at around 90,000 km — a gearbox swap of $4,500–6,000, goodwill rare.
Test-drive checklist: Start the H5F cold in the morning with the bonnet up and listen for chain rattle in the first seconds — faint metallic clatter is a deal-breaker. On the EDC drive plenty of stop-and-go and reverse-park; jerks or a "check gearbox" message are serious. On the diesel ask about the usage profile (DPF on short trips), and on stop-start models check the AGM battery. Inspect sills and subframe for edge rust.
2026 market: Early 2013–2014 cars from around $7,500–8,500 (about 100,000 km), facelift 2017/2018 with the 1.5 dCi Euro 6 under 90,000 km between $10,000 and 12,500, late 2019s up to $13,500.
Insider pick: 1.5 dCi 110 (K9K) Euro 6, 2017/2018 facelift, manual — the uncomplicated diesel with a service book lasts a long time, with no chain or EDC risk. Buy the H5F only with a documented chain change, the EDC only with proof of oil changes.
120 PS
Captur · Benzin
Stronger Captur
Decent118 PS
1.2L TCe Benzin
8 weaknesses
Stay Away!Generations
Engine Overview
The Renault Captur 1 is available with 5 engine variants — from 90 to 120 hp.
Renault's most-produced diesel with over 20 years of production history — with exemplary maintenance (oil every 10,000 km, fuel filter every 8,000–10,000 km) over 300,000 km is achievable. Biggest weakness: connecting rod bearings spin from around 100,000–150,000 km, especially with extended oil change intervals. Common-rail injectors (Delphi) and EGR valve are further service items.
- !! Connecting Rod Bearing Wear from 150,000 km
The K9K connecting rod bearings are design-sensitive. With overly long oil change intervals or incorrect oil the bearing shells spin from around 100,000–150,000 km, resulting in total engine failure.
Symptoms: Knocking engine noise, oil pressure warning light, sudden engine stop - !! High-Pressure Pump (Delphi) Failure from 90,000 km
The Delphi high-pressure pump shows weaknesses from around 80,000 km. Metal wear from the pump contaminates the fuel circuit and damages the injectors and common rail — with consequential damage included.
Symptoms: Starting difficulties, sudden engine stall, 'injection fault' message - !! Timing belt failure — engine destruction from 120,000 km
The 1.5 dCi is an interference belt engine. With an overdue change interval or faulty fitting the belt snaps, valves and pistons collide — total loss. Early failures well before the scheduled interval are documented.
Symptoms: Sudden engine stall without warning, refusal to start, metallic noises shortly before failure
+ 5 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Renault's most-produced diesel with over 20 years of production history — with exemplary maintenance (oil every 10,000 km, fuel filter every 8,000–10,000 km) over 300,000 km is achievable. Biggest weakness: connecting rod bearings spin from around 100,000–150,000 km, especially with extended oil change intervals. Common-rail injectors (Delphi) and EGR valve are further service items.
- !! Connecting Rod Bearing Wear from 150,000 km
The K9K connecting rod bearings are design-sensitive. With overly long oil change intervals or incorrect oil the bearing shells spin from around 100,000–150,000 km, resulting in total engine failure.
Symptoms: Knocking engine noise, oil pressure warning light, sudden engine stop - !! High-Pressure Pump (Delphi) Failure from 90,000 km
The Delphi high-pressure pump shows weaknesses from around 80,000 km. Metal wear from the pump contaminates the fuel circuit and damages the injectors and common rail — with consequential damage included.
Symptoms: Starting difficulties, sudden engine stall, 'injection fault' message - !! Timing belt failure — engine destruction from 120,000 km
The 1.5 dCi is an interference belt engine. With an overdue change interval or faulty fitting the belt snaps, valves and pistons collide — total loss. Early failures well before the scheduled interval are documented.
Symptoms: Sudden engine stall without warning, refusal to start, metallic noises shortly before failure
+ 5 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Three-cylinder turbo with timing chain, developed in cooperation with Nissan — fundamentally solid construction, but oil quality is critical: with neglected oil changes the chain can start rattling from around 150,000 km. Increased oil consumption is known in a number of examples; short oil change intervals of 10,000 km recommended.
- !! Wastegate actuator / turbo failure from 20,000 km
The small turbo wastegate develops play or the actuator fails, often at low mileage. The result is a cold-start rattle and limp mode with power loss. Early cars before the 2018 factory revision are more affected.
Symptoms: Rattle from the turbo on cold start, sudden power loss, limp mode, turbo fault code - !! Camshaft Actuator Solenoid Failed from 80,000 km
The camshaft actuator solenoid on the H4B fails at higher mileages and causes misfires and fault codes. Known in the Twingo as a cold-start problem.
Symptoms: Rough running, misfires on cold start, camshaft control fault code - !! Timing chain wear from 80,000 km
The timing chain stretches at high mileage, especially with long oil change intervals. A cold-start rattle means the chain kit is due. Less acute than on the 1.2 TCe, but present.
Symptoms: Rattle on cold start, metallic noise on lift-off around 1,500–1,700 rpm
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Widely used 1.2 TCe four-cylinder with a structural problem: the oil pump intermittently under-supplies the timing chain tensioner, leading to chain rattle, camshaft adjuster wear and increased oil consumption. Consumption over 1 l/1,000 km is not uncommon. Always check oil consumption before purchase and listen for chain noise.
- !! Timing Chain Stretches Prematurely from 60,000 km
The most well-known H5F problem: the timing chain stretches significantly — especially with short-trip use or missed oil changes — potentially causing rattling and engine damage from 70,000–100,000 km. Oil dilution from short trips accelerates wear.
Symptoms: Rattling on cold start, clattering on load changes, camshaft control fault code, engine damage - !! High Oil Consumption from 40,000 km
The H5F consumes increasing amounts of oil over its service life, often through worn piston rings or leaking valve stem seals. Values of 0.5–1.5 litres per 1,000 km are known from forum reports.
Symptoms: Oil level visibly drops between changes, blue smoke on acceleration - !! Turbocharger Failure from 100,000 km
The H5F turbocharger suffers from oil supply problems, worsened by oil dilution from short trips and extended change intervals. Turbo damage is expensive.
Symptoms: Whistling from the turbo, blue smoke, power loss, no boost build-up
+ 5 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension Not Matched to Vehicle Weight The Captur I suspension is one of its biggest weak points: many components are not matched to the vehicle weight. The TÜV already criticises the axle suspension above average at the first MOT. Symptoms: TÜV suspension defects, knocking, premature component wear from 50,000 km | Medium |
Test Reports
AUTO BILD TÜV-Report
From the first MOT onwards, suspension components show above-average failure rates. Corrosion issues and weak headlights are further drawbacks. Recalls covered brake hoses, wheel hubs and catalytic converter defects.
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 32 weaknesses have been documented for the Renault Captur 1 (2013–2019) — 22 engine-related and 10 vehicle-related. One problem engine: H5F (1.2L TCe). Typical issues affect Suspension, Gearbox, Rust, Electronics.
Captur (K9K, 2013–2019) — Be Careful: Connecting Rod Bearing Wear, High-Pressure Pump (Delphi) Failure, Timing belt failure — engine destruction. Power: 95 PS.
Captur (K9K, 2013–2019) — Be Careful: Connecting Rod Bearing Wear, High-Pressure Pump (Delphi) Failure, Timing belt failure — engine destruction. Power: 110–116 PS.
Captur (H4B, 2013–2019) — Be Careful: Wastegate actuator / turbo failure, Camshaft Actuator Solenoid Failed, Timing chain wear. Power: 90 PS.
Captur (H5F, 2013–2019) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain Stretches Prematurely, High Oil Consumption, Turbocharger Failure. Power: 118 PS.
What to watch out for with the Renault Captur? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Renault Captur 1 have? +
What should I look for when buying a used Renault Captur 1? +
Which engine is recommended? +
Which Renault Captur 1 engine is the most fun? +
Is the Renault Captur 1 worth buying used? +
What horsepower variants are available for the Renault Captur 1? +
Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee