2003 Citroen C3 Desire 1.4 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Cheap, economical driving with decent comfort

Faults:

Usual wear & tear items replaced, drop links replaced, timing belt, clutch, coil pack all replaced once only apart from tyres and regular servicing, no major problems.

General Comments:

This little gem has been in the family for 13 years and has given great service. It has been used to carry kids and adults. No trim has come off, no rips or tears on seats, and probably most surprising no rust. Still a very presentable little motor, although mainly used these days as a second car.

Whilst not head turning or overly powerful, it will still get you to the national speed limits and does not cost a fortune to run. My other car is a 2.9, but I still love driving the wee car, especially in towns. If you can find a good one that has been looked after, you could do a lot worse.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th January, 2020

2003 Citroen C3 1.6 petrol from Spain

Summary:

It looked nice, but it has been very unreliable, considering the very short distance traveled

Faults:

Front wheel bearings failed on both sides at 17000K (3 years). Citroen refused warranty, cost €300.

The electronic gizmo that tells the car which gear it is in failed at 39500K; cost €400 to clean.

Same part failed again at 42000k; cost €995 before negotiation reduced to €834.

General Comments:

Ride is very jerky and uncomfortable.

The car is in showroom condition with only 42000K about 25000 miles i.e. just run in, but worth very little, being 7/8 years old. Therefore we will have to suffer the consequences of buying a very poor car at a very high price €13500 in 2003.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 24th October, 2010

2003 Citroen C3 1.4 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Good Value Motoring

Faults:

90k : Locked out of car when parked near to transmitter mast (Droitwich)

95k: Car running lumpy when just started up. Suspected injectors so removed and cleaned all. Problem identified as battery voltage.

New battery fitted and problem resolved.

General Comments:

Quite nippy and economical.

Car has been very reliable.

Locking out problem is common when near transmitter masts, so can't really blame Citroen.

Used up and down the M5 100 miles each day regularly for the last 4 years.

Quite a good ride, better than I expected.

Easy to maintain and work on for the DIY motorist.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th May, 2009

2003 Citroen C3 1.4 petrol from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Absolute unreliable rubbish that cannot be trusted

Faults:

The fuel injectors self destructed when the vehicle was just out of warranty. The citroen dealer intimated that it was a product fault BUT declined to fix it free of cost or to give any discount. I wrote to Citroen to complain and they did not bother replying.

General Comments:

For the first 18 months of ownership we believed this was a reliable and very economical car. Although underpowered, we loved it and maintained it METICULOUSLY with the assistance of a Citroen dealer.

Then we went on a long trip and were nearly stranded when the fuel injection system decided to self destruct. I have two small children and the idea of being stranded by the side of the road in a new well cared for car is JUST UNACCEPTABLE.

DO NOT BUY A CITROEN, trust me. I owned a D Special, it was supurb although ancient. What they make now is GARBAGE. Please please do not make the same mistake we did.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th September, 2008

2003 Citroen C3 1.4 diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Fantastic

Faults:

My only complaint is that the black plastic trim on the roof sticks up and I have to thump it to get it back into place.

General Comments:

We are on to our third Citroen. Had a ZX from new in 1997 which we only replaced last year by C5, and I have a lovely C3 which is like an extra family member! The ZX was running perfectly and was as new inside and completely rust-free, but a bit dented!

In 11 years and 3 cars we have never had to fix anything except replace brake pads, tyres and one exhaust (between the three cars.) My Kids love the C3 and we have become complete Citroen devotees, due to reliability.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st May, 2008