Radio Code Renault Twingo I

The Renault Twingo I was a car ahead of its time: compact dimensions, a surprisingly spacious interior, and a character entirely its own. That individuality extended to the radio — depending on the year and trim level, owners can find very different systems, each with its own approach to retrieving the unlock code.

The Twingo I ran from 1993 to 2007 — an exceptionally long production run during which several generations of radio were used.

The earliest models (1993–approximately 1998) were mostly fitted with a Blaupunkt radio, sometimes a cassette player and sometimes an early CD unit. The model number varies by delivery year; typical examples include types such as the Blaupunkt BP6500 or BP8126 series. The serial number on these radios begins with the letters BP followed by twelve digits.

Later cars received the Tuner List from Philips or VDO. This is the same radio as fitted to the Clio II and Mégane I of that era — a radio-cassette unit with a simple display and six preset buttons.

A small number of the earliest Twingo I models had no radio at all — just an aerial and wiring as a pre-installation. Always check this first if the car shows no response to any input.

This is a frequently asked question, and the answer is nuanced.

The Tuner List from Philips/VDO does in theory support a PRE-code method: switch the radio off, hold buttons 1 and 6 simultaneously, then switch the ignition on. If it works, a code consisting of one letter and three digits will appear on the display.

With Blaupunkt radios, however, this works differently or not at all. The Blaupunkt systems used in the early Twingo I do not have a standardised PRE-code method via the display. Here, the physical serial number from the sticker is the only reliable route.

Feel free to try the 1+6 method — if a Tuner List is fitted, it may well work. If the radio does not respond, you most likely have a Blaupunkt and will need to remove it from the dashboard.

When the Twingo was originally sold, a small anti-theft card was included with the documentation pack. This credit-card-sized card contains the radio code.

Check:

• The document wallet in the glovebox
• The service book — sometimes stuck inside the back cover
• The envelope with the spare keys

Second-hand Twingo I cars are now between twenty and thirty years old. The chances of the card still being present are limited. The serial number is therefore the most reliable route.

The serial number is on a sticker on the side or rear of the radio unit. You will need to partially slide the radio out to access the sticker.

• Blaupunkt: starts with BP, e.g. BP8126X3364864
• Tuner List (Philips/VDO): starts with T0, 7700 or 2811, followed by a string of digits

The last four characters of the Tuner List serial number are sometimes the PRE-code itself — useful if the display method does not work.

The Twingo I radio sits in a standard DIN mounting bracket and is held in place by internal spring clips. You will need DIN release keys — thin metal hooks that you insert into the slots on either side of the radio.

What you need:

• DIN release keys (also known as CT22UV01 or similar) — available for around £3 to £6

Note: early Twingo I models have a non-standard aerial arrangement. On some variants the aerial is integrated into the door mirror rather than using a conventional aerial socket. This is relevant if you intend to replace the radio entirely, but not if you are simply reading off the serial number.

Step by step

Once you have the four-digit radio code, entering it is straightforward:

If you enter the wrong code several times in a row, the radio will temporarily lock out. The display will show "ERROR" or stop responding to button presses.

The solution:

With the serial number from your Twingo I radio (the BP number or the T0 serial number), you can request the official radio code directly online.

Order your Renault Twingo I radio code via MyRenaultRadioCode.com →