C5 Reliability

[Randombloke]

Despite a lot of knocking, in the Which? Survey of all cars that arrived this month the C5 did relatively well in the reliability stakes.

 

I was surprised at some of the makers and models seen to be below it, including the Skoda Octavia, which seemed to have slumped reliability wise in surveys over the last 3 years.

 

OTOH, both that and C5s are used as taxis, and seem to acquire enormous mileages.

 

Honda seems to be up there in all categories.

[citroeneddie]

A reliable Citroen?

 

What Car ? would rather shut down than admit to that ! :lol:

 

My C5 with 80k on the clock has been brilliant.

 

I would like another one before they change the shape though and the prices go up. The VTX+ is excellent value when I have to become a company car driver again next time.

[72dudes]

"A reliable Citroen?

 

What Car ? would rather shut down than admit to that ! :lol: "

 

Ah, now this is an interesting topic.

 

I was browsing through the Warranty Direct website a few weeks ago. On this site there is a Reliability Index (run in conjunction with What Car) which is based on all the faults on all cars which have been repaired in the past by Warranty Direct (the largest UK warranty provider).

Now the C5 has an index value of 24 ish. To my surprise, most of its competitors (Laguna, Vectra, Mondeo, even A4) have a higher index, which means they are LESS RELIABLE! So I delved a bit deeper and found a Top 10 most reliable cars. All the usual suspects are there, Honda Accord, Toyotas etc, but with a score of 24, the Citroen C5 should be Number 9, slotting in between the Nissan Micra and the Lexus IS200! (But of course it's been left out completely).

 

So I e-mailed info@reliabilityindex.co.uk and posed the question "Is this correct or am I misreading the data?"

No reply.

So I waited 10 days and contacted Warranty Direct and posed the same question, asking them to get their data boys on it and respond.

No reply, so I re-sent the e-mail a few days later.

No reply.

So I waited another 10 days and e-mailed the editor of What Car magazine, Steve Fowler (I'm a subscriber). He replied the same day and said he would look into the matter, sounding genuinely interested.

That was on June 26th, I'll leave it a while longer - I'm sure he's busy chap, but I will chase up and let you all know the outcome.

 

In the meantime, if any other C5 owners would like to add their voice to this debate, visit warrantydirect.co.uk and click on Reliability Index, Top 10 reliable cars etc and see for yourselves.

 

Incidentally, the C5 does score poorly on electrics (the old bugbear) but because the engine, gearbox, even suspension are very reliable, the overall reliability index puts it at Number 9.

 

If I don't get a satisfactory answer, I'm thinking about contacting Marketing and the PR department at Citroen - they should know about stuff like this already really.

 

Does anyone have any views? It's not a personal crusade, but if the C5 is actually proving reliable despite it's reputation, then I think the wider public should know.

[iannez]

pulled a 51 reg c5 taxi with 180k on clock into workshop on wednesday with costomer complaning there was a knocking noise and jumping out of third gear. checkd the car and found o/s/f strut was shot, n/s drop link had play and after stripping box found 1st/2nd and 3rd/4th syncros, reverse gear were all worn and recomended bearing kit, priced bits and over all costs (parts and labour) came to £1100. costomer said he was more than happy to pay as the car had not cost him a penny since the day he bought it. not bad for a c5 with 180k.

[Randombloke]

Does anyone have any views? It's not a personal crusade, but if the C5 is actually proving reliable despite it's reputation, then I think the wider public should know.

 

My view is this - for years I've used my little knowledge to buy Citroens and enjoy very nice cars very cheaply, simply because everyone is afraid of innovation, hydraulic suspension, etc.

 

If you win a crusade to prove the C5 reliable, then second hand prices will go up to the levels they are in France, for instance, or are here on stuff like VW, Audi, Mercedes and BMW.

 

If C5 2nd hand prices hit VW, Audi and BMW levels, I'll no longer have a nice relatively new car.

 

Let them all think the larger Citroens are unreliable dogs that cost a fortune to run.

 

Depreciation will then keep my favourite cars cheap to buy 2nd hand.

 

YMMV.

[citroeneddie]

I used to subscribe to What Car? but got fed up with the way they suck up to Ford all the time. Surprise surprise they gave the new Mondeo five stars

 

When Citroen put the 2.2Hdi in the C5, What Car said crackling engine, shame about the car.

 

Sorry What Car?, not for me anymore.

[72dudes]

I understand your concerns, Randombloke, but I don't think this would have such a drastic effect on the C5's reputation! Even if it did, our cars would be worth more anyway!!?

 

Update on my earlier post. Editor of What Car is now ignoring my e-mails, so I have written to Citroen UK, in case they are interested.

[Guest MarkB]

Despite a lot of knocking, in the Which? Survey of all cars that arrived this month the C5 did relatively well in the reliability stakes.

 

I was surprised at some of the makers and models seen to be below it, including the Skoda Octavia, which seemed to have slumped reliability wise in surveys over the last 3 years.

 

OTOH, both that and C5s are used as taxis, and seem to acquire enormous mileages.

 

Honda seems to be up there in all categories.

 

I thought the biggest complaint was generally about the quality of the electrics on Citroens?

[legin]

I mentioned this in the C6 section,Citroen are 8th overal above some "excellent" makes but the motoring press are bias towards the Germans and put every thing else down.Keep it like this and we keep getting reliable motoring cheaply!

[Guest Chris K]

"A reliable Citroen?

Does anyone have any views? It's not a personal crusade, but if the C5 is actually proving reliable despite it's reputation, then I think the wider public should know.

 

Personally, I can't wait to get rid of my C5 (52 plate). Shame I can't afford somethng else and the resell value is so low.

My exhaust was rusted at the back end, Citroen would only replace the whole thing including the cat - at a cost of over £1200. Eventually I found an independant who got hold of a part and cut/welded it to fit.

My internal fans are stuck on permanently at the moment and Citroen are saying the part is £450 (although there is another thread on this forum that says the part is £50 but I can't find anybody to instruct me on how I can locate the part).

Also had the computer go wrong and dash light up, luckily that was when it was under warranty.

I don't think Citroen give a damn about their customers once the sell a car.

[Guest spritemajor]

Personally, I can't wait to get rid of my C5 (52 plate). Shame I can't afford somethng else and the resell value is so low.

My exhaust was rusted at the back end, Citroen would only replace the whole thing including the cat - at a cost of over £1200. Eventually I found an independant who got hold of a part and cut/welded it to fit.

My internal fans are stuck on permanently at the moment and Citroen are saying the part is £450 (although there is another thread on this forum that says the part is £50 but I can't find anybody to instruct me on how I can locate the part).

Also had the computer go wrong and dash light up, luckily that was when it was under warranty.

I don't think Citroen give a damn about their customers once the sell a car.

I cant understand why people go to Citroen for exahusts. Exahusts Unlimited charge £48 for a back box and he had it in stock for my 51 plate HPI £250 for a full system ive seen them on the web for that price as well so why go to Citroen?

[myglaren]

I cant understand why people go to Citroen for exahusts. Exahusts Unlimited charge £48 for a back box and he had it in stock for my 51 plate HPI £250 for a full system ive seen them on the web for that price as well so why go to Citroen?

 

I'll second that. Bought a back box (£52) and a repair section (£16). Ten minute job to fit it.

[crispby22]

"A reliable Citroen?

 

What Car ? would rather shut down than admit to that ! :D "

 

Ah, now this is an interesting topic.

 

I was browsing through the Warranty Direct website a few weeks ago. On this site there is a Reliability Index (run in conjunction with What Car) which is based on all the faults on all cars which have been repaired in the past by Warranty Direct (the largest UK warranty provider).

Now the C5 has an index value of 24 ish. To my surprise, most of its competitors (Laguna, Vectra, Mondeo, even A4) have a higher index, which means they are LESS RELIABLE! So I delved a bit deeper and found a Top 10 most reliable cars. All the usual suspects are there, Honda Accord, Toyotas etc, but with a score of 24, the Citroen C5 should be Number 9, slotting in between the Nissan Micra and the Lexus IS200! (But of course it's been left out completely).

 

So I e-mailed info@reliabilityindex.co.uk and posed the question "Is this correct or am I misreading the data?"

No reply.

So I waited 10 days and contacted Warranty Direct and posed the same question, asking them to get their data boys on it and respond.

No reply, so I re-sent the e-mail a few days later.

No reply.

So I waited another 10 days and e-mailed the editor of What Car magazine, Steve Fowler (I'm a subscriber). He replied the same day and said he would look into the matter, sounding genuinely interested.

That was on June 26th, I'll leave it a while longer - I'm sure he's busy chap, but I will chase up and let you all know the outcome.

 

In the meantime, if any other C5 owners would like to add their voice to this debate, visit warrantydirect.co.uk and click on Reliability Index, Top 10 reliable cars etc and see for yourselves.

 

Incidentally, the C5 does score poorly on electrics (the old bugbear) but because the engine, gearbox, even suspension are very reliable, the overall reliability index puts it at Number 9.

 

If I don't get a satisfactory answer, I'm thinking about contacting Marketing and the PR department at Citroen - they should know about stuff like this already really.

 

Does anyone have any views? It's not a personal crusade, but if the C5 is actually proving reliable despite it's reputation, then I think the wider public should know.

 

Hi

I am now on my second C5 and 4th Citroen car.

Not one of them has let me down on the reliability stakes. (Touching wood now!!)

I started with a Xantia which started life with me with 83,000 miles on the clock and did me through to 145,000 with only sphere changes. I bought a Picaso next and though excellent for space and flexibility the 1.6 petrol engine was far to underpowered for me. The 2.2 HDI C5 auto estate I got next was a joy to drive and with the plus 3 suspension had me in awe as the handling was fantastic, even shut my sarcastic friends up when navigated round tight bends at great velocity. Unfortunately it still became known as the fastest hearse in the neighbourhood. Only let down was two replacement electric back windows; under warranty with electrical issues. My present C5 VTR is great for a 2.0 litre diesel, dissapointed that 138bhp car has only 3 not 3+ suspension there is alot of difference. Biggest bug bear is the little things with Citroen the present one for me is the interior door handles are peeling, they are the second lot fitted under warranty.

But I have to say I will more than likely buy the new shape, but can any one tell me why they have done away with the hatch on it? Looks like I’ll be buying the estate.

[DaveHerns]

I suspect it's because Citroen want the new C5 to be seen as an alternative to the 3 series, A4 or Merc C class .None of which are hatchbacks .The new commercial irritates me. What's happened to "Different is everything "?

[Ronin]

I suspect it's because Citroen want the new C5 to be seen as an alternative to the 3 series, A4 or Merc C class .None of which are hatchbacks .The new commercial irritates me. What's happened to "Different is everything "?

 

 

I hate that advert too with a passion ! "unmistakingly german" What an insult to a french car and its owners!

I own a C5 now and this is what I think of them...

 

A slight leak on the rear suspension of my old 210,000 mile xantia (the only thing to go wrong with it I might add) turned into a major burst on the way to get it fixed lol typical really (independant specialist is 25 miles from me) So I was forced into buying a new car.

 

Anyway I just bought my first C5 1.8 16v lx hatchback on a "Y" plate in silver for £800!!!!

What a car for the money, fsh and an ex company car with 169,000 miles on the clock but I can't believe it, it drives like a new car, looks new, so smooth and everything works! I had a look through all the service bills etc and found a bill for a new exhaust complete with Cat @ 140,000 for £385.00 +vat, Clutch at 152,000 miles for £376.50 + vat. Also the usual stuff like bushes, brakes, spheres over the years but the total (not including regular servicing/belts/tyres has come up to £1,640 for extra non service bits and labour....

 

Now how can anyone say that a BMW, Merc etc is more reliable than that after 169,000 miles and 9 yrs old.

I guess the moral of the story is :- look after a C5 properly and it will look after you and more importantly your wallet!

I'm just happy if I manage to get 18 months trouble free motoring out of my C5 then at least I can say £800 was a small amount of money very well spent for a lot of car. :)

[Ferks74]

Biggest bug bear is the little things with Citroen the present one for me is the interior door handles are peeling, they are the second lot fitted under warranty.

 

That's one my bugbears with my citroen. I'd only had the Picasso a week (bought new) and I'd caught the door handle with a key and 5 pence sized spot came away! Citroen were not really interested either, I paid for a replacement insert, but that looked shabby after 12 months.

 

Anyway, on the lookout for a replacement car as the picasso has been written off after a lady driver used my car as a new braking system!