1995 Citroen AX Memphis 1.1i from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Best avoided

Faults:

Complete brake failure while traveling at 50mph, due to a fluid leak on one of the rear drums. Was lucky not to hit a tree under braking.

Constant problems with Idle rev speed, which mutated into rev speed problems while driving. Turned out to be the idle stepper motor.

Gearbox became loose at 60000 miles.

Braking has never been very efficient.

Dashboard lights blowing, quite common.

Mechanism for both electric windows broke on separate occasions.

Multiple problems with the Injection system.

Apart from that, general wear and tear..

General Comments:

For a car which ferried me to and from school, and being my first car, it has done quite well. It has helped me learn a whole lot about driving. But I'm glad to see the back of it. Constant problems have dogged this car from since I can remember. Most are listed above.

It is tacky, cheap looking and the design is showing is age. It does not like corners at all, with lots of body roll and a shuddering noise coming from the back wheels on even the slightest corner. It is very lightweight, which makes it nippy, with quite light steering (considering it has no power steering) but this has its problems when traveling over 50mph with a cross-wind. Motorway driving is very nearly out of the question and you'd be a fool to take it there in bad weather.

Driving position is uncomfortable to say the least, but on the plus side, it means you're less likely to fall asleep.

The bodywork dents too easily, which means you have to treat it like an un-boiled egg if you want to sell it at some value.

Having 5 seats, you'd think it could take 5 people. But it doesn't. The little 1.1i engine struggles with 4 people, and braking degrades terribly with the momentum.

On the plus side, it is very cheap and economical to run. There is a huge difference in mpg between 65mph and 70mph, and it is very economical in towns. But repair bills kind of equal out what you save here..

It was the final straw when the brakes failed while I was doing a fairly high speed. Had I not known how to slow the car quickly with no brakes it would quite possibly have been the last car I could drive.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 5th May, 2004

23rd Feb 2005, 13:49

I agree, the ax is a truly awful car, I laughed out loud in recognition with the review! I can't wait to get shot of mine and buy a decent car.

30th Jun 2005, 15:00

I have recently passed my test and have a little ax memphis, and I think it's an amazing wee car. I've had to get a few things fixed, but that was due to my dodgy driving and the fact it sat for a whole year without moving. whoops!! the ax may not be perfect, but it has looked after me well. and a good few years to come.

2nd Jan 2006, 05:32

Be fair. there are far more cars worse than the AX. This is not saying the AX is not a good car. Has the guy had the car serviced at the right intervals. I've had mine for 6 years now and I've driven 40,000miles so far and all I have to show is a small repair here and there and the prices added up have come nowhere near the ridiculously low insurance paid.

25th Oct 2006, 12:41

Hi, I've had 2 AX's. The one I have now is 15 years old and has done over 110,000 miles. It just keeps going so why get rid of it. Infact I'm off to get my daughter one and you can get so much AX for £500.

1995 Citroen AX Debut 1.5 diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Basic, but excellent mpg

Faults:

The handbrake cable keeps loosening so I can't park on hills.

The radio will not play tapes and when the radio is on if the volume is turned up it will cut the radio out.

Other than these two there have been no other problems.

General Comments:

The car is not the fastest, but is a good A to B drivers car.

It runs for fun. Since I am only 18 (not much income) I needed a car with good miles per gallon. I regularly get 250+ off £20 with the most I've recorded is 314mpg.

Overall a basic car, but excellent if you need a car that runs for miles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 26th August, 2003