2005 Citroen C5 VTR 2.0 HDI diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Fantastic all rounder, bar the climate control!

Faults:

Rear suspension arms.

Clutch.

Engine fan.

Climate control temperature blades.

General Comments:

I am heartbroken. I've had this car nearly 8 years, and in that time from purchase cost to replacement parts and repairs, it's cost me just £5500.

However, first the driver's side temperature blade broke (flap that lets hot or cold air through). I was quoted over £2000 to have this put right. I managed by sealing this off and using the passenger side. This has now died too. It is now uneconomical to repair. I can deal with heat, but I feel the cold something rotten!

The car has been comfortable, reliable, (never ever broken down, even when the clutch was going whilst towing a caravan!), performed well (shifts for its size!), and towed my various caravans without complaint. It's taken abuse ferrying my tools and equipment about, and is pretty much a van as well as a car, and never been greedy on fuel. I'm a sentimental being and I bond with my cars. We part company next month. I shall be mourning.

I'd have another post 2008 model in a heartbeat, but like myself they've gained weight and I don't have B+E on my licence for towing. Citroen don't do anything suitable for my work and towing within my weight range. Pity as this was the second Citroen,(prev Xsara), and both have been reliable budget option vehicles.

I'd have another 2005-2007 C5 in a heartbeat, but can't risk it when something as silly as climate control can write off a car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th May, 2020

5th Sep 2022, 16:35

Climate control is a major pain on most modern cars; when they are not being expensive to repair, they are unintuitive to use. Old school manual sliders were the best with a separate button for A/C; that is all you need.

18th Nov 2022, 13:30

Was the C5 more reliable than the Xantia it replaced?

2005 Citroen C5 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Rubbish

General Comments:

I have just got rid of my C5 diesel automatic, and my advice is if you have a C5, you should do the same and cut your losses.

I will never by this make ever again, as this company knows that the problem is there, and choose to put their head in the sand.

A couple of years ago, a friend of mine told me the company he was working for ordered 8 C5 saloons, and within 3 months all had been returned with the same problem.

Windows with a mind of their own.

Anti pollution defective.

Automatic gear box defective.

Anti theft device defective.

And so on and so on.

All of which my own C5 had the same messages.

Shame on you Citroen.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 15th February, 2011

27th Jan 2012, 07:45

I have owned an SX C5 HDI for the last 4 years, it has been utterly reliable, incredibly cheap to run and very practical, I simply don't recognise the negative comments on this forum.

Granted it is not a ball of fire to drive, but you don't buy this kind of car with that in mind. I will certainly consider replacing it with a later C5, but considering how it's been, I see no need to do so yet.

In reply to 27th Jan 2012, 07:45

27th Sep 2012, 05:19

Sorry mate, but you have been lucky. The problems will come, and it is obvious from reading on the net, and knowing owners of these cars, that they do have faults, particularly with the auto transmission. The advice to get rid of it to prevent further expenditure is sound. It's just a pity that in this day and age, junk still makes it onto the road. The A class Merc and Smart car are others in the total lemon class, that have known faults, that should never have made it to production.

In reply to 27th Sep 2012, 05:19

12th Apr 2013, 17:02

I must have been exceptionally lucky with my TDI C5. I now have 224,000km on the clock with no problems other than one broken electric window ($150 to fix).

1st Oct 2016, 16:08

I have had my C5 1.6 CTR+ for 5 years; it's the most comfortable, reliable, economic car I've owned. It's never let me down, starts first time every time, the spec is fantastic, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another for effortless motorway driving!

You get so much more car for your money than with Ford. I don't understand why they get such bad comments.