Rare folding hard-top with Renaultsport DNA
The Renault Wind is a rare compact roadster produced for barely 18 months (2010-2012) before being axed in Renault's product cuts. Based on Twingo mechanicals but with Renaultsport-tuned handling and a clever folding hard-top, it undercuts the MX-5 on price. Very few were sold in the UK, making it a quirky and increasingly uncommon used find.
We track 5 known issues across the Renault WIND range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Renault WIND? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
Wind (2010–2013) — Engine options included the 1.2 TCe, 1.6 16V. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Steering ball joint excessive wear (£150–£250 to address).
The Renault Wind exhibits premature wear of steering ball joints at significantly higher rates than the fleet average. MOT data shows failure rates 41 times higher than typical vehicles, particularly affecting the 1.1L variants. The ball joints connect the steering track rods to the wheel hubs and are critical for maintaining steering control. Failure can result in sudden loss of steering, making this a dangerous defect that requires immediate attention when detected.
Ball joint failure can cause sudden loss of steering control, potentially resulting in a serious accident. The wheel may become detached from the steering system entirely. Worn ball joints also cause rapid and uneven tyre wear, poor handling, and steering instability. Replacement typically requires wheel alignment afterwards.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
The Renault Wind shows abnormally high rates of coil spring failure, with MOT data indicating failure rates 14.1 times higher than the fleet average. This affects both engine variants but is particularly severe on 1.6L models. Springs can fracture completely or suffer significant weakening, causing the car to sit lower on the affected corner and compromising handling and safety. The trend is worsening according to recent MOT data.
A completely fractured spring can cause the car to sit dangerously low on one corner, affecting steering geometry and potentially causing tyre contact with bodywork. Weakened springs reduce ride comfort, compromise handling, and accelerate wear of shock absorbers and other suspension components. The car remains driveable but handling will be unpredictable.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
Renault Wind models suffer from premature wear of suspension bushes and joints at rates 10.4 times higher than the fleet average. This affects various suspension mounting points including control arm bushes, anti-roll bar links, and subframe mounts. The worsening trend in MOT data suggests this is a persistent problem across the model range that becomes more severe with age and mileage.
Worn suspension bushes cause poor handling, excessive tyre wear, and noise. Anti-roll bar link failure can result in unpredictable handling during cornering. Control arm bush failure affects wheel alignment and braking performance. While not immediately dangerous, continued driving with severely worn bushes will accelerate wear of other suspension components.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The Renault Wind exhibits abnormally high rates of brake disc failure, with MOT data showing failure rates 6.3 times higher than the fleet average. Discs can suffer from excessive wear, cracking, or complete fracture at unusually low mileages, with some failures occurring on virtually new cars. This affects both front and rear discs across all engine variants and represents a worsening trend in recent MOT data.
Severely worn or cracked brake discs can fail completely, resulting in total loss of braking on the affected wheel. Even minor disc damage causes reduced braking efficiency, vibration, and accelerated pad wear. Warped discs make the car difficult to stop smoothly and can cause brake fade under repeated use. This is a critical safety issue requiring immediate attention.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
MOT data shows the Renault Wind has significantly higher rates of brake binding issues, with failure rates 7.6 times above the fleet average. This typically occurs when brake calipers seize partially, causing the brake pads to remain in contact with the disc even when the brake pedal is released. The problem is worsening according to recent data and affects both engine variants, though it's more prevalent on 1.1L models.
A binding brake caliper causes continuous drag, leading to rapid disc and pad wear, reduced fuel economy, and potential overheating that can boil brake fluid and cause brake fade. In severe cases, the affected wheel can lock up unexpectedly or the brake system can fail entirely due to overheating. The car remains driveable but requires prompt repair to prevent complete brake failure.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Renault WIND common problems page.
Based on 12k real DVSA MOT tests, the Renault WIND fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is track rod ends worn at 37x the fleet average, followed by brake pipes corroded (33x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Renault WIND MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 12k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Renault WIND service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Renault WIND has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. With only an 18-month UK production run (2010-2012), choice is limited. The 1.6-litre 133bhp TCe is the one to have for performance. All cars are broadly similar in specification, so focus on service history and roof mechanism condition rather than specific model year.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Renault WIND, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Renault WIND issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.