Faults:

Water pump blew at 5,000 miles.

Engine started ticking over at the rev limiter, which happened twice and turned out to be the manifold, which had fallen off. Once at 10,000 miles, then again after being replaced with a new one from the dealer at about 20,000 miles. It caused the most annoying whistling sound ever once you took your foot off the accelerator.

At 40,000 miles, the engine started making a loud rattle, which got worse and worse over time, which turned out to be the gear box. That was replaced also with a new alternator after Citroen had it in the garage for 4 weeks, in which 2 of those weeks, it wasn't even looked at.

At 43,000 miles the gearbox rattle came back with a vengeance (even though it was supposed to have been fixed), which included 4th and 5th gear whining like a super charged engine, really loud knocking from engine, which Citroen don't care about as the warranty date is due and they're totally avoiding the situation in which it hasn't been corrected since.

General Comments:

This car is generally quick for a 1.6 N/A engine. It handles like it's on rails and I think it is generally a good car for a person 18 years of age to 21, as you can have a lot of fun in it.

If you're looking to buy one, I can't stress enough to tell you to have a look at other manufacturers out there, as there are loads, and you can have a better deal i.e. a more reliable car.

The cabin is quite roomy, but the people in the back 2 seats suffer if you're over 5ft 5, and the cabin does rattle a little, but you can expect that as it's plastic and it's a cheap pocket rocket.

Faults:

At 12k the interior door handle insert fell off and that's it.

The car has put up with two years of full on abuse, using it as a pizza delivery and parts delivery van, and it's fine. Plus I've been to France and back a couple of times.

It's a crackin' and proper reliable little car.

General Comments:

It has to be said it is fun to drive, with a spot on driving position and pedal set up, but it does sometimes feel like a blancmange going round particularly tight corners, and you feel like you're going to blow away on the motorway. But aside from that, it is a fun driving experience.

When I got the car, I was surprised that it can still cruise at 100 on the motorway, and can return 25mpg+.

Faults:

Clutch went after 4000 miles. Had the dreaded rear brake squealing when reversing, so rear brake assembly replaced (calipers and pads), along with a new steering rack after 6000 miles. Brakes still make horrid noise now and again. Crank sensor and engine temperature sensor went a week ago (12400 miles), as a result, car wouldn't start and had to be taken to the dealer on the back of an RAC truck. Engine makes a terrible squealing noise after a good workout, noise goes away when on the throttle, and returns on throttle lift off due to a hole in the inlet manifold gasket, causing an air leak. Hopefully to be rectified before the whole gasket blows!

General Comments:

Problems aside, give the car some stick and it leaves me grinning ear to ear every time. It goes really well and the handling is superb especially with the ESP. Even in the wet, it corners at speeds which would see many other cars just wimp out and lose control. The interior is rattly though and many people would call it cheap. But that's the point, it's a cheap car and it's a fine example that you don't have to pay 20 or 30k+, to own a fantastic driver's car.