Faults:

It has flickering headlights, and the lights are slow to respond if you want to flash your lights; it responds a second after you flash them.

It doesn't handle anything as well as my old Xantia, which I have kept for now as my first reaction was to sell the C5.

My model is only the 90hp, which is a real slug and unresponsive like diesels of old. I would be most unhappy with the car as is. I think it may be worth keeping if fitting a tuning kit and induction kit or sports filter.

I use roof bars in my work, and the roof is much higher than the Xantia for loading, meaning that I have to drop the suspension down every time I want to load unload.

It's just so boring... but no problems with reliability so far.

General Comments:

I think once you get past the electronic gadgets, which are likely doomed to fail and cost mega money to have repaired, it's a big let down. It's no better than the Xantia, which had more than its share of electrical faults.

It's a nice car in some aspects, and a nice comfortable ride.

Acceleration is dreadful, it's probably dangerous if you need to overtake, if something is coming the other way on the horizon then you don't have enough space to overtake! If you have to overtake then you will need to drop back and take a run at it.

The longer I have owned it, the more it is growing on me, as it is bigger than the Xantia and the stereo is good.

The best I can say is it was cheap to buy and cheap to run, and fairly practical and roomy. It's best suited to cruising up and down the motorways all day and night.

Faults:

Eco mode is nightmare; dealership reckons update annually, but nothing in the manual!

Engine oil leak from manifold, but deemed no problem despite several dealer visits.

Indicator stalk faulty with headlamps going on and off. Cost to replace ridiculous at over 300.00.

Headlamps flicker ---- no reason.

General Comments:

Very good and comfortable family car, albeit difficult to park.

Excellent cruiser, but sudden side winds on motorways worryingly slow the vehicle --- seem to suck it back.

Wheels tend to go out of balance quickly.

Brilliant load capacity.

Faults:

The door locks have mind of their own, sometimes they will open electronically sometimes I have to use the key. The passenger side rear door has had to have its lock changed, and now the nearside rear door will only open from inside. The driver's door sometimes operates electronically, but other times I have to use the key. Very frustrating. The dealership has no explanation.

On the whole, I am satisfied with the overall performance of the C5. Love the ride.

When the rear passenger lock was changed, the mechanic at the local dealership said "we will have to hammer it off or burn it off, as there are no bolts holding it on". This was a little disconcerting, but the repair was satisfactory when I picked it up. The cost was £350, which I thought was a bit on the high side.

General Comments:

The car handles well.

The ride is comfortable.

MPG is good; it's a diesel.

Faults:

One headlamp bulb failed at circa 50,000 miles.

Slight wheel wobble at speed after tyre change at 20,000 miles proved impossible to correct.

General Comments:

After owning the car for four years and covering nearly 60,000 miles I am about to change it for another new C5. The only faults have proved minor and, with the exception of slight wheel wobble which is liveable with, easily corrected.

This has been the most reliable car I have owned. The level of comfort and space available far exceed that offered by any other car in this price bracket. Residual values are low, but massive discounts are available on purchase so in effect you have less money tied up on the tarmac. I looked at Jags and BMWs as replacements, but why pay so much more for possibly equal comfort, but less room to stretch?

If my company policy did not require me to change car after four years, I would happily motor on with my current car.