Faults:

Suspension.

Mysterious messages from computer telling driver to stop and requiring transporter to dealer.

Theft of spare tyre.

Broken fitting on side blind.

Stuck electric window.

Accidental locking of keys inside car due to remote key locking.

General Comments:

One of the main attractions of this car, the Citroen suspension, must be great if it works. Sadly, in three years this car's suspension never worked, and the dealer couldn't fix it, despite several very expensive attempts (under warranty).

The other big attraction was space. There is plenty, and the room for rear passengers is excellent. However, this again was spoiled by front seats that gave an aching back and a numb left leg on long journeys. The boot is adequate without being generous.

Despite being only a medium-sized car, the Xantia is very difficult to park. The front slopes down a long way out of sight, and the back is cut off right at the back wheels, so one is always bumping into things in car parks, and cutting off sharp corners. This car seemed to attract bumps and scrapes.

The spare wheel is slung under the boot, and is easily (and often) stolen, unless you invest in a retro-fitted anti-theft device.

Faults:

Engine sucked in water and snapped a con rod at 140000 miles.

General Comments:

Up until I blew the engine it was still passing all mot smoke tests pretty good for an old diesel.

It has enough power to keep any BMW diesel in your rear view mirror.

It has a comfortable ride on the motorway, but handles well around corners.

The speed sensitive power steering works well.

But the air pick up pipe is so low they are prone to sucking in water when driving through flood water (even with the suspension up)

Parts can be expensive, but they don't go wrong so over a year they are cheap cars to run.

Talk to your citroen dealer about the price of parts I havnt found one yet that won't haggle.

Faults:

Nothing major, although things may be starting to go wrong with the electrics at the moment.

ABS and Airbag warning lights come on occasionally.

Speedometer and mile counter have just stopped working.

Engine is surging when idling, sometimes cutting out altogether.

General Comments:

A great cruiser, happy to spend all day at 100mph on Continental motorways.

Superb suspension as expected from a Citroen.

Shame about the electrics.

Dealer servicing not brilliant.

Faults:

New fuel pump at 65,000, and poorly done, so I broke down 3 days later outside a small rural town - luckily there was a genius at the local garage.

Spheres have been replaced twice.

New rear muffler this week.

A couple of small panel-beating jobs - car damaged while parked, including felonious assaults.

General Comments:

I love this car. I was lucky to buy it new, only regret not buying a break.

I still think it's one of the best looking cars on the road.

It's probably not quite powerful enough, but the police are very active on the roads I travel - so much the better.

The drivers seat could be more supportive. I'm surprised that it's not - my previous car was a Peugeot 505 break and its seats were fantastic.