Faults:
Probably quicker to list what didn't go wrong:
2 oil leaks
Engine mount started to break up
Passenger seat adjuster snapped off
Major stalling fault which the (useless) dealers couldn't fix
Knocking from front suspension
Engine management light came on and off at random. Apparently "no faults" found on the diagnostic rig.
Clutch judder caused by the crankshaft oil seal failing and leaking oil onto the clutch plates.
Never idled smoothly
Tappets noisy
Interior rattled like an old truck.
General Comments:
This review should also cover the 1.1 Saxo Forte that I spent almost as much time driving during my VTS ownership. It was the garage courtesy car, and my second home!
The VTS is a good looking and seriously quick little car with fantastic handling. But it was so unreliable, the dealers so hopeless and Citroen UK so downright unhelpful that I gave up on it after a year.
On the rare occasions the VTS was working properly, I had probably more laughs in it than in any car I've owned, but towards the end, I just wanted rid of it. It's appallingly designed, atrociously built and sold by a company who think customer service is something that doesn't apply to them.
As a driving experience, the VTS is about as good as hot hatches get. As an ownership experience, its about as appealing and rewarding as having your teeth extracted with a pair of pliers!
30th Sep 2002, 04:05
It was never fixed. I chopped the car in as a part-ex with the fault still there (luckily it behaved when the salesman drove it). Pretty shocking though that a main dealer can't fix a problem after loads of attempts.