1999 Citroen Xsara VTS review from UK and Ireland

Car is on its third fuel pump as they keep blowing fuses.

Engine will not run in hot weather and stalls whenever the clutch is dipped. 4 dealers have failed to rectify this with costs approaching four figures!

Seats are rattly and don't go forwards. Dealer rectification totalled spraying WD40 on the rails, stinking out the car completely and this meant driving with the windows open for a week.

Front fog-lamps didn't work when car was purchased, and took 4 return visits to dealer to rectify.

Airbag warning lamp came on at 28000 miles necessitating a replacement switch in the steering column. Over £100 to fix.

Fuel tank has become distorted somehow, meaning that the car does not always fill with fuel as forecourt pump cuts out continuously. Also fuel gauge does not work correctly. It shows the car as being full, but within a couple of miles shows the tank as only three quarters full. The fuel low warning doesn't work either.

Drivers window rattles unless wound fully down.

All of these faults have been have been reported to Citroen UK customer services by both phone and e-mail many weeks ago and no response has received.

The catalytic converter failed and spat its innards out ruining the entire exhaust system and necessitating a complete replacement. The car had done about 9000 miles and I was told the warranty didn't cover the exhaust!

Performance is excellent. Out-accelerates cars with much bigger engines, which is good fun.

Handling is very good as long as you don't push too hard. This car will bite back!