Van Reviews

Honest John Vans Van reviews Renault

Renault Master Review 2024

2021 Renault Master dCi 135 3T5 H2 Red Edition Van Renault Master
dCi 135 3T5 H2 Red Edition Van
£23,992
View Renault Master vans for sale

Renault Master At A Glance

4/5

+Strong value new or used, punchy 2.3-litre chain cam dCi diesel engine, huge choice of bodystyles and conversions, 3.5 tonne Master will carry payloads weighing up to 1500kg.

-Earliest models are starting to feel their age, disappointing level of standard equipment, not as easy to drive as its rivals from Ford, Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz.

The Master is the largest and most versatile van in the Renault range. Affordable, easy to drive and offered with a wide choice of bodystyles and load lengths, the Master will carry up to five Euro pallets, weighing 2.1 tonnes. 

The Renault Master will carry up to 1500kg in the 3.5 tonne van class, which means you don't need a special or older driving licence to access the van's heavy duty loan moving potential. The Master is also offered with front-wheel, rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. 

Launched in 2010, the Master marked a big leap in terms of quality and refinement compared to the previous model, with higher levels of in-cab comfort and lower running costs. A comprehensive update in 2014 provides lower fuel costs and improved comfort further, while a model refresh in 2019 added better refinement. 

Like its Vauxhall Movano counterpart, the Master comes with a powerful 2.3 dCi diesel engine that's been engineered specifically for a large van. You get the choice of three power outputs, with  the145PS and 150PS being the sweet spots in the range. 

Payloads range from 800kg to 2000kg, depending on which model you choose, with the largest panel van providing 17 cubic metres while the huge box van - which is popular with removal firms - provides a whopping 19.3 cubic metres. 

Getting stuff in and out of the Master panel van is a breeze, thanks to the large side and rear doors. All vans get a single side sliding door as standard with a minimum width of 1050mm. The rear barn-like door provide a maximum opening of 1580mm. 

Renault's big van isn't without its faults, the interior isn't as smart or as comfortable as its key rivals and the 2.3-litre diesel engine is also quite noisy under full acceleration. Advertised fuel costs are also lower than that of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

The key to the Master's appeal is found in its value for money and abundance on the used van market. Cheaper to buy than many of its rivals, new or used, the Master is a solid all-rounder and an easy van to recommend.

What do owners think of the Renault Master? Check out our Owners' Reviews from people who live with the car day in, day out.

Ask Honest John

Is the Renault Master a reliable choice as a camper van?

"I am considering buying a 2010 Renault Master automatic which done 60,000 and has service record. Does this model with a 2.4 litre engine and automatic gearbox have any reliability problems and are parts readily available? "
Overall, the Renault Master is a fairly reliable van and other than routine maintenance the only problems we're aware of are occasional reports of injector problems and some owners have also reported software issues with the automatic transmission, but these aren't especially common faults and a well-maintained, low-mileage van such as this one should prove to be reliable assuming you keep up with regular maintenance as required.
Answered by Craig Cheetham

Why does the radio in my Renault Master van keep switching itself off?

"The radio in my 2016 Renault Master turns itself off after 30 minutes for no reason. Can you tell me why this is happening? "
Check the fuse for the radio. It may be loose or in need of replacement (the owner's manual for the van will show you where the fuses are). If the fuse is fine, it'll probably be a wiring fault. An automotive electrician or local garage should be able to identify the location of the problem.
Answered by Dan Powell

What's causing stiff steering?

"I have a Renault Master. It seems like the mechanical steering is stiff both driving and stationary, so I changed the steering pump - without result. Are there any common things to look for? There aren't any leaks."
Check the tyre pressures; the correct PSI can be found in the owner's manual and on a plate inside the driver's door frame. If this doesn't fix the problem then it may be worn joints or parts within the steering rack itself.
Answered by Dan Powell

What's the best second-hand long wheelbase van?

"I want to buy a second-hand long wheelbase van such as a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter or Renault Master and want advice as to the best make for reliability, servicing, road tax and insurance with a budget of £7k. I would like as low mileage as possible - what should I be looking for and how many owners? It's for getting our mobile bars, tables chairs, gazebos, glassware and everything a bar requires, to and from events and festivals."
When buying a used van, you want the newest and best conditioned vehicle you can afford. A four-year-old van with 100,000 miles is a far better buy than a 10-year-old van with 50,000 miles. This is because these are working vehicles, designed for regular usage over long distances. They’re not designed to sit up for long periods or just cover short drop mileages. The latter will provide all manner of mechanical problems with the DPF: https://vans.honestjohn.co.uk/van-news/comment/van-drivers-urged-to-be-aware-of-dpf-issues-when-buying-a-new-van/ Servicing and history are key: the seller should have the actual paper bills for all the work on the van. The owner should also present a computer print-out of its service history. Ideally, a van should be serviced annually, with an oil change every 10,000 miles. If it has been 'underserviced' with gaps of more than a year, avoid it altogether. All vans are taxed at a flat rate of £250, which applies to all makes, models and sizes of commercial vehicle. However, when it comes to durability, MoT records suggest that the Fiat Ducato and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter are best: https://vans.honestjohn.co.uk/mot-results/the-mot-files-10-best-vans-pick-ups-for-passing-the-first-mot-in-uk/ For all of our used van buying advice, see: https://vans.honestjohn.co.uk/how-to-buy-and-sell/top-10-tips-to-buying-a-used-van/ For advice on getting cheap van insurance, see: https://vans.honestjohn.co.uk/cheap-van-insurance/
Answered by Dan Powell
More Questions

What does a Renault Master cost?

Find more vans like this

Renault Master for sale

£26,392
2022 Renault Master
LM35dCi 135 Business+ Medium Roof Van
14,676 miles
Anchor Vans
£19,994
2021 Renault Master
LM35dCi 135 Business Medium Roof Van
35,245 miles
Anchor Vans
£32,034
2023 Renault Master
LL35 ENERGY dCi 145 Business Low Roof Chassis Cab
12 miles
Renault Retail Group Manchester