Faults:

Continuing handbrake fault.

Continuing flat tyres.

Engine cut outs.

Dodgy keypad (temperamental).

Electrical faults:

Power steering seized.

Complete electrical blowout, i.e car won't start.

Every single light not working.

Heating system blowing fuses.

General Comments:

The Citroen Saxo VTR 1.6i was my first car. It's a nice car to look at; sporty, nice big alloys, smart little exhaust pipe, everything I wanted really, but I regret the day I ever bought it! Constant problems after problems. The main one for me is the constant electrical fault. I've had problems with since I've bought it!!

Yes this car is quick and handles reasonably well, and the pull between gears is great, the engine also has a great sound. Wish I could say the same for the rest of it.

Faults:

Problem with the brakes for first couple of years! Seems to be OK now, although they used to wear down at a remarkable rate, with the garage twice 'checking' them, to be returned to me rubbing on the drums, a fault I discovered 7 miles down the road with smoke pouring from the wheel arches!

You can always rely on the French for abysmal build quality.

Had to have front drive shaft replaced after 4 years.

Main annoyance is the gearbox with only a 50% chance of being able to select reverse, plus an ongoing droning noise coming from the gearbox. The garage told me it was the wheel bearings first, so two replacement bearings later, the noise continued, for them then to decide 'it must be the gearbox bearings,' wow, these people really are on the ball! Turned out the best cure was to top up the oil in the gearbox.

Finally, the worst problem I've had for the last 2 years, is when the petrol tanks less than half empty the car misfires continuosly. Three garages have been unable to rectify the problem, so I just keep it topped up with petrol. I suspact a problem with the fuel tank, as when first purchased in 1996 a new tank had to be fitted after 6 months due to a stalling problem, which was quite common, although I don't think Citroen bothered to do an official recall on the saxo's. Not surprised though, as customers take a back seat after you've bought the car, so long as the garages meet their sales targets!

General Comments:

For fun motoring the saxo is one of the quickest and best handlers on the market, but for reliability go German or Jap.

Faults:

48,000 radiator resulting in blown head gasket and head re-skimmed. Cost over £400 repairs via Citroen dealer.

Collapsed battery approx 50,000. £55.

Ongoing intermittent electric windows failures.

Lots rattles and noises (not to mention the diesel engine!).

Radio speakers failing on 2/4.

Flake of paint the size of a golf ball came off the bonnet in a car wash!... appears to be factory fault as I know the past owner and nil crash damage repair etc.

General Comments:

Plods along at 45-50mg. Well equipped but build is questionable. Cheap and cheerful.

My mate's VTR interior is not much better spec, but it's lot more fun to drive. Beware however build and cost of parts.

Faults:

Horrid little car. Uncomfortable, soggy handling, noisy brakes. Sunroof broke costing £100 to repair. New rear light after some moron broke it in a car park and drove off quickly, cost £45.

General Comments:

Don't buy one, get a Corsa, I had one and it wasn't brilliant but shone compared to this French skip.

Faults:

Problems with the brakes siezing. This led to burring of the hubs. Citroen have delivered a technical bulletin (allegedly) and replacement parts are to be fitted. Car pulls to one side when brakes are applied quickly. Rattle in drivers door which I understand is something to do with door hinges loosening.

General Comments:

It's a super little car despite the above.

Faults:

Brake Disks have been replaced twice (Free of Charge). Citroen know there is a problem with the brakes and are currently trying to resolve this.

When they find a solution all cars will be repaired free of charge.

I had a strange clicking noise coming from the drivers door and this was due to the door hinge loosening slightly.

All in all no major faults.

General Comments:

A very nice car all round, so good in fact my husband and I both own Saxo's.