Jump Straight In - Buying A Used Citroen Ds3

[Helen_Queen]

Hello, everyone!

 

I thought I would jump straight in! My name's Helen, and this is my first post - exciting!

 

I'm interested in buying a used Citroen DS3 to replace my current car, but I've never bought a used car before (my first was a hand-me-down so to speak)

 

Can I get some advice from you guys if I show you the car, I don't want to travel there to view the car if it's not worth it if you know what I mean!

 

Looking forward to hearing from you all!

 

Thanks in advance

 

Helen

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

 

The DS3 is a good looking car but is expensive, only has 2 doors (plus the tailgate) and you could also look at the C3 which is similar but cheaper if you want a small car. Even if you are not going to buy from a dealer, go to one and have a look at cars there to familiarise yourself with one. You can also read/copy/print the handbooks in sections from here http://service.citroen.com/ddb/ you may need to select your language first.

 

If you buy from a Citroen dealer you will get a 12 month warranty and their cars tend to be of better quality than other sources, but they can be a bit dearer. Go for as low a mileage and newest car you can afford since this usually means the car will cost less in repairs in the future.

 

If you are buying privately you need to be careful, make sure everything works, the car drives ok (you may not be able to drive the car since you will not be insured), there is no obvious damage or accident repairs, no oil or other leaks, look underneath for any problems, the car is not stolen, the servicing is up to date (check the Warranty and Maintenance book for dealer stamps and any receipts), there are no outstanding loans against the car (car loan or other loans using the car as security) since the car is owned by the finance company and not the registered keeper, check the car details on the V5C registration document are correct. You are better taking somebody with you who knows about cars and you could pay the RAC to check the car.

[Routemaster1]

If buying a diesel it is vital that the car has been properly service within the mileage window (12,500 miles for earlier cars and 16,000 miles for cars since ~2014) Failure to do the service on time and correctly are vital for the life of the turbo. There have been issues with earlier 1.6 Picassos, fitte with a virrtually identical engine, but I have not heard that this is repeated with the newer ones with updated turbo oil supply. If you get one, ensure that you continue to get it serviced on time and within mileage and you should have no problem.

[paul.h]

In October in London there is an environment pollution charge going to be put on cars that do not have euro 4 or later engines. A DS3 should be ok but it may later need the later euro engines so if you are thinking of buying a diesel and you will be going in to London, then you should consider going for a newer one with a blue hdi engine that uses adblue additive to reduce NOx emissions.

 

Edit, 8/5/2017 - the environment charge for cars is a couple of years away yet, the one in October is for larger vehicles.

[Helen_Queen]

So sorry for the delay in posting back  -the internet's been playing up!

 

This is one I found originally (http://www.umberslademotors.com/citroen-ds3-hdi-dstyle-3dr-in-solihull-6144735) which is within my price range. I've chatted with the guy who owns the place and he seems pretty happy about it (naturally he's the one selling it) but are the specs good enough?

 

In October in London there is an environment pollution charge going to be put on cars that do not have euro 4 or later engines. A DS3 should be ok but it may later need the later euro engines so if you are thinking of buying a diesel and you will be going in to London, then you should consider going for a newer one with a blue hdi engine that uses adblue additive to reduce NOx emissions.

 

 

If buying a diesel it is vital that the car has been properly service within the mileage window (12,500 miles for earlier cars and 16,000 miles for cars since ~2014) Failure to do the service on time and correctly are vital for the life of the turbo. There have been issues with earlier 1.6 Picassos, fitte with a virrtually identical engine, but I have not heard that this is repeated with the newer ones with updated turbo oil supply. If you get one, ensure that you continue to get it serviced on time and within mileage and you should have no problem.

 

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

The DS3 is a good looking car but is expensive, only has 2 doors (plus the tailgate) and you could also look at the C3 which is similar but cheaper if you want a small car. Even if you are not going to buy from a dealer, go to one and have a look at cars there to familiarise yourself with one. You can also read/copy/print the handbooks in sections from here http://service.citroen.com/ddb/ you may need to select your language first.

 

If you buy from a Citroen dealer you will get a 12 month warranty and their cars tend to be of better quality than other sources, but they can be a bit dearer. Go for as low a mileage and newest car you can afford since this usually means the car will cost less in repairs in the future.

 

If you are buying privately you need to be careful, make sure everything works, the car drives ok (you may not be able to drive the car since you will not be insured), there is no obvious damage or accident repairs, no oil or other leaks, look underneath for any problems, the car is not stolen, the servicing is up to date (check the Warranty and Maintenance book for dealer stamps and any receipts), there are no outstanding loans against the car (car loan or other loans using the car as security) since the car is owned by the finance company and not the registered keeper, check the car details on the V5C registration document are correct. You are better taking somebody with you who knows about cars and you could pay the RAC to check the car.

[paul.h]

You need to be careful with the 1.6 hdi engines since they are prone to early turbo failure if not serviced every year and the correct oil used so you need to check for any turbo problems and that you have a long warranty. Check the servicing has been done at a Citroen dealer as well. It is also due for a service since 12 months since last one done. I do not know if £5000 is right for a 7 year old car, you can look at Citroen dealers and in Autotrader to get an idea. At this mileage the exhaust particulate filter (dpf) will be due for replacement and the eolys fluid topping up - expect a bill of maybe £400 at a Citroen dealer. If you look at the MOT history, it has only done 4k miles in the last year, and the previous 3 years it has been similar whereas in the first 3 years it did 61352 miles - makes you wonder what happened for the use to change so dramatically with only 1 owner. Last year it needed new front tyres, previously it needed new front brake discs. https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/

 

Personally, I would be looking at Citroen dealers since they usually have better quality cars and give a full 12 month warranty and you are likely to get a lower mileage car. They seem to start at around £5500 though but you may get a lower price if you haggle http://www.usedcars.citroen.co.uk/results.aspx?wflw=se_na_re_vi&pg=1

[paul.h]

Forgot to add, at 86k miles and 7 years old, it is not yet due for a new timing belt, but will be in a couple of years. Cost at a Citroen dealer including replacing the water pump is around £450.

[MikeLane]

Just a thought but round here (Hampshire/Surrey/Sussex) Main Dealers don't usually have cars that old in their stock. They take them as P/Ex and sell them at auctions.

However, it might be worth checking with your local dealer to see if he has a reasonably priced DS3 coming in for P/Ex (if you're not in a hurry).