1996 Citroen Xantia SX review from UK and Ireland

The heater blower motor had seized, however this was known when purchasing the car. This however is a very common fault for Xantias and is down to the transistors dying.

Air-con compressor had developed a knocking noise and therefore the compressor was replaced with a HDI one, the air con doesn't work which was also known when buying, without the compressor the car won't move.

Intermittent ABS sensor fault, this is also a common problem and is down to dirt getting trapped, easily replaced and cheap to.

Unlike some people that post I know exactly what the car is I'm buying, I'm 20 and do like to do a little research.

The hydraulics worried me and wondered if it would be a big expense, however it turned out that its not actually that complicated and if anything goes wrong, parts seem to be fairly cheap, the car was riding to high and after a bit of research found out how to lower the car at home (height adjusters get seized, some grease helps to prevent) the car can kill and therefore needs to be supported with axel stands.

Glowplugs were done, but this is obviously something expected after 100,000 miles, they were done on my 97 1.9d ZX, but were much easier, this job tuned out to be such a pain, but saved a fortune by doing it at home.

I absoulutely love citroens and especially love Xantias now and will certainly be buying another next year (i do 40,000 a year so I change every year) but I will buy a Mk2 and a much newer one, I was in a rush and for £850 got a very good deal. The car hasn't cost me that much at all, I know have free weekends which I missed while having the ZX (which I rate highly too).

Citroens run brilliantly if you know what your buying, mpg is brill as usual and the XUD is just brilliant.