1998 Citroen Xsara VTL review from UK and Ireland

Power steering pump failed straight after I got it: fixed myself with another pump from a scrap yard: €30.

Central locking wasn't working when I got the car, the wires in the drivers door had cut from wear, just joined them with connectors and it was perfect.

Before I stopped driving it, the power steering rack started leaking, not huge amounts, but enough for me to have to top it up every so often, never got it fixed.

This was my first car, and being 19, the insurance was very reasonable. It's also a very quick car for what it is - it's also the same 95bhp engine from the Peugeot 306 D-Turbo.

It's nice car to drive, even over long distances. Good handling, although the suspension was a bit on the soft side. The initial acceleration from a standing start is not the best, but once you're over 40mph, you only ever need 5th gear, but overtaking can be tricky sometimes as there is some turbo lag.

The car is very economical and always returns about 50mpg, even when driven hard. I've never taken it to a dealer, so I don't know what the service is like.

The only downsides I found were that it's noisy inside and you're always aware that it's a diesel. Also, I found that after long journeys, my lower back would become sore, but I've always had back problems, so it may not be due to the car.

Overall, this is a nice practical cheap to run car, and even with its few niggling problems, I would recommend it.