Despite having been on Britain’s roads since 2002 the second generation of the Renault Mégane still attracts attention. The unusual rear-end styling that inspired the “shaking that ass” adverts was always going to be risky and it still splits opinion as to whether it is ugly or inspired.

Buyers voted with their wallets and Mégane sales boomed. This means that nearly three years on, there are plenty of second-hand examples hitting the market and there has never been a better time to take a closer look at this stylish French hatchback.

The Mégane comes in a choice of three or five doors, the former variant being named Sport Hatch by Renault. The car’s squat appearance gives the impression that it’s glued to the road. But despite being longer, taller and wider than its predecessor, rear-seat passengers will find that leg room remains marginal while the boot space has been cut by 18 litres.

Renault offers a broad range of petrol and diesel engines. The entry-level 1.4 litre petrol unit produces 98bhp and is free revving and eager, if a little lacking in oomph. The 1.6 litre petrol engine pushes power to 115bhp and there is also a 136bhp 2 litre.

But for me the best engine to have in your Mégane is a diesel. The smallest 1.5dCi, an 80bhp unit later revamped on some models to 100bhp, is ultra-economical and ideally suited if your journeys don’t involve a back seat full of passengers and a boot full of luggage. The 1.9dCi produces a healthy 120bhp which, combined with high levels of torque, makes it quick, frugal and refined. A second-hand 1.9dCi commands a premium of just £400 over the 1.5dCi.

For many, the way the Mégane looks will be reason enough to reach for the chequebook but potential buyers should be cautious. The Mégane provides a surprisingly firm ride and the seats are on the flat side, offering little lateral support when cornering. The steering, which is speed sensitive (light when parking, more direct when driving at speed), can feel heavy when cornering hard and the dash-mounted handbrake may not be to everyone’s taste.

That said, the Mégane is still pleasing to drive and it’s unlikely any buyer will be disappointed with the long list of standard equipment that comes with the car. Even the entry level three-door Extreme comes with eight airbags, ABS, and electric front windows. Pay a few hundred pounds more and the Expression comes with air-conditioning and electric rear windows. The top spec Dynamique and Privilège models add alloys and leather steering wheels, and many will also boast items from Renault’s long list of optional extras, such as tyre pressure sensors, automatic headlamps and keyless entry systems.

But beware: all that technology, while initially attractive, can be more trouble than it is worth. New cars come with a three-year/60,000-mile warranty that picks up the pieces if any of the technology gives up, but when that warranty ends you’ll be paying the bills yourself. So get the car checked over by a Renault dealer before the warranty expires or you could end up with a very nasty bill.

Air conditioning Standard on all models except the Extreme and Authentique, although many owners paid extra for it as an option

Boot space At 330 litres it's slightly down on the previous model

Handbrake Electric handbrake is dash-mounted, freeing space between the front seats for storage

Alloys Cars fitted with 17in alloys can be prone to high levels of tyre wear, so check them carefully

Tyre pressure sensor An option on many models but can be more trouble than its worth with many owners reporting false readings

Seats Unusually for a French car, the seats are flat and relatively firm

Gearbox Six-speed manual standard on 1.9dCi and 2 litre petrol

Steering Power steering can feel a little heavy when cornering hard

Starter button Slip a card in the dash, press the starter button and you're off, but it's no more convenient than a standard key

Safety Scored five stars in the Euro NCAP crash tests and all models have eight or more airbags

Vital statistics

Model Mégane 1.9dCi Dynamique 5-dr
Engine 1870cc 4-cylinder turbodiesel
Power 120bhp
Transmission Six-speed manual
Fuel 52.3mpg (combined cycle)
Acceleration 0-62mph: 10.5sec
Top Speed 122mph

The one to buy

Renault Mégane 1.9dCi Dynamique five-door 2002 52 registration with 40,000 miles. Pay £7,150 from a main dealer or £6,250 privately

Or for similar money

2000 X-reg Volkswagen Golf SE TDI 90bhp

2002 51-reg Peugeot 307 2.0 HDi 90bhp

2002 51-reg Ford Focus 1.8 TDi LX 90bhp

2002 02-reg Honda Civic 1.7i CDTi 100bhp

2002 52-reg Vauxhall Astra 2.0 DTi 100bhp

Values: Renault Mégane 1.9dCi Dynamique five-door



Privilège model worth about £200 more than equivalent Dynamique. Expression model worth about £200 less. Three-door models worth about £200 less than five-door.

Source: estimates based on confidential CAP black book prices. ‘Trade’ is what a dealer would pay to buy your car; ‘Retail’ is what you would pay a dealer