2003 Citroen Xsara Reviews

Smell from heater oil leaking in the passenger foot well. Told it's the heater.

Brakes noisy and inefficient.

Steering heavy.

Indicator switch is also the high beam switch; while indicating, it puts the high beam on. Not good, could signal to say you turn first, which may not be the case.

Saying that, overall it's not a bad car considering.

The car is fast off the mark, and accelerates quickly.

Petrol consumption is good for an automatic.

Seats are OK for town driving, but for long distance, could lead to a bad back.

I have a smelly heater. I am glad it is not just my car that seems to suffer from this problem. The smell is like a stale urine smell when the heater is put on, & it is even worse when the blower is put on; I have to open the windows.

It has got so bad I am going to sell the car after only having it three months.

The car is reliable apart from the interior mirror keeps falling off.

Nothing as yet, but new discs and pads will be required at the next service.

Good performance and economy from the diesel engine. We are averaging 52-55mpg in mixed motoring.

Superb ride, and the handling is good, though it rolls more than our previous model.

Paint seemed a little soft, as we have picked quite a few stone chips.

Rear visibility is not the best either, and general build quality is only average.

Overall an excellent family car with excellent reliability.

Brake squeal from new, dealer could not fix, but I did after two more altercations, after servicing, with the dealer. We settled with they check the brakes, but never touch them. Result, no squeal.

Rear washer was poor from new and deteriorated up to 60,000 miles. Repeated requests to the dealer failed to find fault. I found the rear feed pipe crushed under the trim by the rear passenger seat.

Heater blower would not turn off at 60000 miles; returned to normal after 2 months of unplugging it when not needed.

Wiper motor gears sheared at 100,000. Replacement unit cost over £100, which I fitted.

Fault with heater motor returned at 110,000, and developed into not working unless set to max when the car is first started.

Lower fan belt pulley fell off at 138,000 (a common fault on Peugeot Citroen Diesel engines I have been told), taking with it both cam pulleys, cam belt and various covers at a £460 cost.

Very comfortable ride.

Good turn of speed for a diesel.

Pretty cheap running costs; even with repairs.

Absolutely nothing.

By far and away the best car I have owned. Brisk, economical, sporty, reliable and very comfortable.

As with all cars little niggles appear, but are easily fixed. Eg airbag light came on because a connector came loose under the driver's seat.

Why everyone says the Xsara is unreliable is beyond me, it's no worse or better than any other mainstream manufacturer. I've owned 14 different marques, and the most unreliable was a BMW 3 Series, the best a Diahatsu Avanzato TRXX. Several Volkswagens, which had faults in welding for the mounts to the exhaust to seats self destructing.

I'd recommend a Xsara to anyone, especially if you place it next to the 306, which has the same build, but a far higher price.