1990 Citroen XM SED review from UK and Ireland

The retaining bolt fixing the hydraulic steering ram to the gearbox casing became loose and sheered off at 90,000 miles resulting in broken hydraulic pipe and complete loss of fluid affecting suspension and brakes as well as the steering.

At approximately 120,000 miles the main feed hydraulic pipe fractured (in September 2000). Citroen eventually admitted they were unable to supply a replacement part. Apart from the ten weeks it took the main agent to get this response from them, it took a further three months before Citroen UK responded to my correspondence with the comment that the part was unobtainable because it was out of the ten year supply period for spares!

Head gasket blew at 150,000 miles in (October 2002). This requires the complete removal of the engine in order to replace which is an expensive business.

Broken wiring (starter switch to starter solenoid).

Coolant leak from heater pipes at junction with heater matrix.

The alloy wheels have bad surface corrosion including round the inside rims that resulted in continuous air leaks.

The car has a high mileage, but has been serviced regularly and maintained by Citroen agents since new.

It is a nice car and great to drive when it is working, but the faults make it difficult to have any confidence in it.

The poor supply of spare parts from Citroen and the delay of 10 weeks before they admitted that the hydraulic pipe could no longer be supplied is unacceptable quality of service from such a major supplier and it means that I shall not be buying another Citroen.