We tell you about the things to check while looking out for a pre-owned Renault Duster for sale.
Used Renault Duster
The Renault Duster was first launched in India in 2012. It kicked off the compact SUV segment and was priced from R145,000 - R230,000. Renault offered the vehicle with a 1.6-litre petrol engine making 104 PS and 145 Nm while there was also a 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine available in two states of tune – 85 PS & 200 Nm and 110 PS & 248 Nm. The former got a 5-speed MT while the latter got a 6-speed MT.
Renault is still selling the same generation of the Duster in India but the vehicle has got quite a few changes over the years. Renault introduced an AWD variant with the 110 PS diesel trim first, then they got an AMT variant again with the diesel engine and then the petrol engine was replaced with a 1.5-litre unit with a CVT. The AMT and AWD were never offered together in a single variant. Currently, the Duster is only offered with a 1.5-litre BS6 petrol engine but a 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine will make its way very soon.
The Renault Duster has seen immense popularity and the diesel variants fetched most of the sales. The older variants didn’t have too many features but subsequent updates ensured that the Duster got most of the necessary equipment on offer.
Renault Duster – Overview
The Renault Duster was launched in India at a time when the compact SUV segment didn’t even exist. The relatively compact dimensions, sturdy suspension setup, durable nature and the workhorse diesel engine made the Duster an instant success and a worthy contender for those people who didn’t want an SUV as big as the Tata Safari or Mahindra Scorpio.
The design of the Renault Duster is very simple. You don’t get any creases, cuts or character lines but the car does look pleasant. The interior layout is straight-forward and functional and if you look at it today, well, it does feel outdated. The seats are decent for general use, there’s enough space at the rear and the boot is humongous.
The earlier models of the Duster used to get dual front airbags and ABS only on the top RxZ trim while the lower variants had to make do without these safety features. Even electrically adjustable ORVMs, keyless entry, reverse parking sensors and the likes were offered on the top variants only.
The petrol engine offered decent driveability but its fuel efficiency was far from impressive. The diesel engine really shone because of its reliable nature and the brilliant fuel economy. The 85 PS tune offered adequate performance and turbo lag was felt lower on this while the 110 PS tune offered much better punch but had more turbo lag too. When Renault introduced the AWD version, they worked on the engine and clutch too and the driveability became better.
The suspension has always been one of the highlights of this vehicle. It can take a lot of abuse, it loves gliding over potholes and the ride quality is just too good, even today. The steering is also quite feedback-rich and responsive. It is a bit heavier than other compact SUVs, weighs up nicely on the highways and gets a bit violent if you take turns at high speeds though. The AWD version made the Duster even more competent but sadly there are very few AWD units in the used car market.
Used Renault Duster Price
There are plenty of used Renault Dusters for sale at Group 1 Renault so this should give you a good leverage to negotiate with sellers. We recommend buying the diesel variants because the oil-burner has its own advantages over the petrol engine. If your budget isn’t tight, avoid going for old cars and lower trims. Instead, try to find 2016+ models. The Duster got a cosmetic update in 2016 with changes to the exterior, cabin and the addition of an AMT and this version of the Duster was quite good. Make sure you buy a variant that has dual front airbags and ABS.
Buy the AWD variant if you like off-roading but if you’re going to use the car for just commutes then it makes sense getting the AMT. Renault also offered the petrol engine with a CVT but sales weren’t that great. The diesel manual is also a good option if you don’t drive in heavy traffic everyday. For 2012-2013 models, you can pay R66,000 - R75,000 for a fairly maintained car. If a car is in exceptionally good condition, don’t hesitate to pay a slight premium. For 2014 models, you can pay R85,000 - R95,000. There are some dealers who quote obnoxious prices so you need to study the market properly before negotiating.
A price of R100,000 - R115,000 is a fair amount for 2015 models, though an AWD car is likely to cost more. 2016 facelifted models should have a realistic price of R120,000 - R135,000 while 2017 and 2018 models obviously cost more and the pricing depends on how much the car has run and how much warranty is left. The Duster got another facelift in 2019 and are of course available to buy as pre-owned cars now.
Original article from: https://www.motorbeam.com/
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