Citroen C3 2022 1.2 110 hp Automatic - thoughts?
Discussion
Any thoughts on the above vehicle? I have spoken to a number of people that have this car and absolutely love it, however, each time I go online I read horror stories. Everyone seems to want to hate on French cars. Is there any truth to this? Is it a historical thing or are they still incredibly unreliable.
No more French cars for me…..
I’ve only ever been left stranded by a car three times; 100% of my German cars (1) have done it and 100% of my French cars (2) have done it. So I don’t buy German and I don’t buy French and haven’t been left stranded ever since!
To be fair I actually quite like a lot of the French cars for what they are and I would absolutely buy something like a DS5 or C4 Cactus. I don’t think they’re any worse than any other brand or nationality of car really, but people do like to look down on them.
Edit: Sorry, this wasn’t really a good response to your question. My point was basically that I wouldn’t worry too much about the reputation.
I’ve only ever been left stranded by a car three times; 100% of my German cars (1) have done it and 100% of my French cars (2) have done it. So I don’t buy German and I don’t buy French and haven’t been left stranded ever since!
To be fair I actually quite like a lot of the French cars for what they are and I would absolutely buy something like a DS5 or C4 Cactus. I don’t think they’re any worse than any other brand or nationality of car really, but people do like to look down on them.
Edit: Sorry, this wasn’t really a good response to your question. My point was basically that I wouldn’t worry too much about the reputation.
A modern Citroen will be perfectly fine.
Reliability by brand for cars up to five years old (Whatcar 2021)
Rank Brand Score
1. Lexus 98.7%
2. Dacia 97.3%
=3. Hyundai 97.1%
=3. Suzuki 97.1%
=5. Mini 97.0%
=5. Toyota 97.0%
7. Mitsubishi 96.9%
8. Mazda 95.9%
9. Kia 95.8%
10. MG 95.7%
11. Citroen 95.6%
12. Skoda 95.0%
13. BMW 94.7%
14. Honda 94.2%
15. Tesla 93.9%
16. Renault 93.7%
17. Seat 93.3%
18. Audi 92.8%
19. Volvo 92.3%
20. Volkswagen 91.4%
21. Jaguar 90.1%
=22. Mercedes 89.6%
=22. Peugeot 89.6%
=22. Vauxhall 89.6%
25. Porsche 89.4%
26. Alfa Romeo 86.5%
=27. Ford 86.2%
=27. Nissan 86.2%
29. Land Rover 82.5%
30. Fiat 82.0%
Reliability by brand for cars up to five years old (Whatcar 2021)
Rank Brand Score
1. Lexus 98.7%
2. Dacia 97.3%
=3. Hyundai 97.1%
=3. Suzuki 97.1%
=5. Mini 97.0%
=5. Toyota 97.0%
7. Mitsubishi 96.9%
8. Mazda 95.9%
9. Kia 95.8%
10. MG 95.7%
11. Citroen 95.6%
12. Skoda 95.0%
13. BMW 94.7%
14. Honda 94.2%
15. Tesla 93.9%
16. Renault 93.7%
17. Seat 93.3%
18. Audi 92.8%
19. Volvo 92.3%
20. Volkswagen 91.4%
21. Jaguar 90.1%
=22. Mercedes 89.6%
=22. Peugeot 89.6%
=22. Vauxhall 89.6%
25. Porsche 89.4%
26. Alfa Romeo 86.5%
=27. Ford 86.2%
=27. Nissan 86.2%
29. Land Rover 82.5%
30. Fiat 82.0%
Assuming it has the 6 speed EAT automatic gearbox it will be fine. I had this engine/gearbox combo in a Peugeot 208 and it worked well. There can be timing belt issues with the pre 2017 Puretech engines so make sure that it has a good service history as the correct oil is vital. Other than that modern French cars are no less reliable than anything else, and are probably more reliable than the crap that come out of the VAG stable these days !
Most unreliability stories are as old as shillings and sixpence.
Currently have a C4 Cactus, bought on 13k miles, now on 79k. No problems at all, decent car for what it cost.
Sister has a Peugeot of some sort and also has been faultless.
Peugeot especially are making fantastic cars at the moment.
Currently have a C4 Cactus, bought on 13k miles, now on 79k. No problems at all, decent car for what it cost.
Sister has a Peugeot of some sort and also has been faultless.
Peugeot especially are making fantastic cars at the moment.
Michaelfields said:
Great to hear that. I speak to many owners of French cars and they're really happy. Seems that the complaints of poor reliability, etc stem from another era.....
I've had several older French cars and small vans since the early '80s. They've been well used and occasionally abused, had a lot of miles put on them and mostly been run into the ground as throwaway cars on minimal care and maintenance.Three roadside breakdowns in 40 odd years and back of a fag packet half a million miles - two snapped clutch cables and an ignition coil.
CG2020UK said:
A modern Citroen will be perfectly fine.
Reliability by brand for cars up to five years old (Whatcar 2021)
Rank Brand Score
1. Lexus 98.7%
2. Dacia 97.3%
=3. Hyundai 97.1%
=3. Suzuki 97.1%
=5. Mini 97.0%
=5. Toyota 97.0%
7. Mitsubishi 96.9%
8. Mazda 95.9%
9. Kia 95.8%
10. MG 95.7%
11. Citroen 95.6%
12. Skoda 95.0%
13. BMW 94.7%
14. Honda 94.2%
15. Tesla 93.9%
16. Renault 93.7%
17. Seat 93.3%
18. Audi 92.8%
19. Volvo 92.3%
20. Volkswagen 91.4%
21. Jaguar 90.1%
=22. Mercedes 89.6%
=22. Peugeot 89.6%
=22. Vauxhall 89.6%
25. Porsche 89.4%
26. Alfa Romeo 86.5%
=27. Ford 86.2%
=27. Nissan 86.2%
29. Land Rover 82.5%
30. Fiat 82.0%
My god nissan have slipped over the years Reliability by brand for cars up to five years old (Whatcar 2021)
Rank Brand Score
1. Lexus 98.7%
2. Dacia 97.3%
=3. Hyundai 97.1%
=3. Suzuki 97.1%
=5. Mini 97.0%
=5. Toyota 97.0%
7. Mitsubishi 96.9%
8. Mazda 95.9%
9. Kia 95.8%
10. MG 95.7%
11. Citroen 95.6%
12. Skoda 95.0%
13. BMW 94.7%
14. Honda 94.2%
15. Tesla 93.9%
16. Renault 93.7%
17. Seat 93.3%
18. Audi 92.8%
19. Volvo 92.3%
20. Volkswagen 91.4%
21. Jaguar 90.1%
=22. Mercedes 89.6%
=22. Peugeot 89.6%
=22. Vauxhall 89.6%
25. Porsche 89.4%
26. Alfa Romeo 86.5%
=27. Ford 86.2%
=27. Nissan 86.2%
29. Land Rover 82.5%
30. Fiat 82.0%
You then have this from the reliabilityindex which places the C3 at number 70. What's even stranger is that the Suzuki Swift performs even worse and that's supposed to be one of the most reliable cars on the road. Have to take it all with a pinch of salt.
Rank "Make and
Model" "Reliability
Index"
1 Toyota iQ 3
2 Mitsubishi Lancer 4
3 Vauxhall Agila 7
4 Hyundai Getz 9
5 Honda Jazz 10
6 Hyundai i10 12
7 Nissan Almera Tino 12
8 Hyundai i20 14
9 Citroen C1 14
10 Suzuki Alto 16
11 Honda Insight 17
12 Ford Ka 17
13 Kia Picanto 18
14 Ford Focus 18
15 Mazda MX-5 18
16 CHEVROLET KALOS 19
17 Peugeot 107 19
18 Mazda 2 20
19 Toyota Yaris 22
20 Volkswagen Polo 23
21 Mercedes-Benz CLC 23
22 Seat Ibiza 24
23 Ford Fusion 25
24 Honda Civic 26
25 Toyota Prius 27
26 Honda Accord 28
27 Nissan Almera 29
28 Toyota Aygo 29
29 Ford Fiesta 29
30 Hyundai i30 31
31 Peugeot Partner Tepee 32
32 Suzuki Jimny 32
33 Vauxhall Tigra 34
34 Kia Ceed 34
35 Vauxhall Zafira 35
36 Nissan Note 35
37 Kia Rio 35
38 Mitsubishi Colt 35
39 Toyota Corolla 36
40 Nissan Qashqai+2 37
41 Citroen C3 Picasso 37
42 Citroen Berlingo First 40
43 Renault Twingo 41
44 Nissan Micra 41
45 Renault Scenic 43
46 Toyota Auris 43
47 Audi TT 44
48 Mazda 3 45
49 Skoda Fabia 45
50 Citroen Xsara Picasso 46
51 Renault Kangoo 46
52 Citroen Berlingo Multispace 47
53 Volkswagen Fox 48
54 Suzuki Splash 48
55 Suzuki SX4 50
56 Smart Fortwo 52
57 Ford C-Max 52
58 Rover 25 53
59 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 54
60 FORD MONDEO 54
61 Lexus GS 55
62 Renault Grand Modus 56
63 Honda CR-V 57
64 Suzuki Grand Vitara 57
65 CHEVROLET TACUMA 57
66 Volkswagen Beetle 58
67 Toyota Avensis 59
68 Fiat Punto 60
69 Renault Clio 60
70 Citroen C3 60
71 Mazda 6 60
72 Chevrolet Matiz 61
73 Volvo C30 61
74 Renault Clio Campus 62
75 Renault Megane 62
76 Vauxhall Meriva 63
77 Fiat Panda 63
78 Chevrolet Aveo 64
79 Volkswagen Golf 65
80 Lexus RX 65
81 Audi A4 Allroad 66
82 Suzuki Swift 67
83 Skoda Roomster 68
84 Nissan Qashqai 69
85 Citroen C2 71
86 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 71
87 Volvo S80 73
88 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER 75
89 Peugeot 206 CC 75
90 Chevrolet Cruze 76
91 Renault Laguna 76
92 Hyundai Tucson 76
93 Renault Koleos 77
94 Fiat 500 77
95 Lexus IS 77
96 Alfa Romeo GIULIETTA 78
97 Volvo V70 79
98 Lexus LS 79
99 Vauxhall Astra 80
100 Citroen C-Crosser 81
Rank "Make and
Model" "Reliability
Index"
1 Toyota iQ 3
2 Mitsubishi Lancer 4
3 Vauxhall Agila 7
4 Hyundai Getz 9
5 Honda Jazz 10
6 Hyundai i10 12
7 Nissan Almera Tino 12
8 Hyundai i20 14
9 Citroen C1 14
10 Suzuki Alto 16
11 Honda Insight 17
12 Ford Ka 17
13 Kia Picanto 18
14 Ford Focus 18
15 Mazda MX-5 18
16 CHEVROLET KALOS 19
17 Peugeot 107 19
18 Mazda 2 20
19 Toyota Yaris 22
20 Volkswagen Polo 23
21 Mercedes-Benz CLC 23
22 Seat Ibiza 24
23 Ford Fusion 25
24 Honda Civic 26
25 Toyota Prius 27
26 Honda Accord 28
27 Nissan Almera 29
28 Toyota Aygo 29
29 Ford Fiesta 29
30 Hyundai i30 31
31 Peugeot Partner Tepee 32
32 Suzuki Jimny 32
33 Vauxhall Tigra 34
34 Kia Ceed 34
35 Vauxhall Zafira 35
36 Nissan Note 35
37 Kia Rio 35
38 Mitsubishi Colt 35
39 Toyota Corolla 36
40 Nissan Qashqai+2 37
41 Citroen C3 Picasso 37
42 Citroen Berlingo First 40
43 Renault Twingo 41
44 Nissan Micra 41
45 Renault Scenic 43
46 Toyota Auris 43
47 Audi TT 44
48 Mazda 3 45
49 Skoda Fabia 45
50 Citroen Xsara Picasso 46
51 Renault Kangoo 46
52 Citroen Berlingo Multispace 47
53 Volkswagen Fox 48
54 Suzuki Splash 48
55 Suzuki SX4 50
56 Smart Fortwo 52
57 Ford C-Max 52
58 Rover 25 53
59 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 54
60 FORD MONDEO 54
61 Lexus GS 55
62 Renault Grand Modus 56
63 Honda CR-V 57
64 Suzuki Grand Vitara 57
65 CHEVROLET TACUMA 57
66 Volkswagen Beetle 58
67 Toyota Avensis 59
68 Fiat Punto 60
69 Renault Clio 60
70 Citroen C3 60
71 Mazda 6 60
72 Chevrolet Matiz 61
73 Volvo C30 61
74 Renault Clio Campus 62
75 Renault Megane 62
76 Vauxhall Meriva 63
77 Fiat Panda 63
78 Chevrolet Aveo 64
79 Volkswagen Golf 65
80 Lexus RX 65
81 Audi A4 Allroad 66
82 Suzuki Swift 67
83 Skoda Roomster 68
84 Nissan Qashqai 69
85 Citroen C2 71
86 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 71
87 Volvo S80 73
88 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER 75
89 Peugeot 206 CC 75
90 Chevrolet Cruze 76
91 Renault Laguna 76
92 Hyundai Tucson 76
93 Renault Koleos 77
94 Fiat 500 77
95 Lexus IS 77
96 Alfa Romeo GIULIETTA 78
97 Volvo V70 79
98 Lexus LS 79
99 Vauxhall Astra 80
100 Citroen C-Crosser 81
Realise late to the party and you've already ordered.
We have almost exactly this vehicle as a runaround hatch when don't need / have something else handy and daughter commuting main use.
Only difference it's on a 19 plate, just had first mot.
Obviously due to Covid wfh etc not done as many miles as expected but in 3 years not put a foot wrong, goes well enough for a 1.2, plenty well enough, gearbox is fine don't know what folks complain about.
Negatives, rear suspension is a little harsh on very sharp speed bumps, example uni car park has those stupid short steep triangular rubber strips across the entrance, you really have to take those slowly.
The usual too much stuff is controlled via the touch screen for my taste but that is most things these days.
I don't have any issue with the stop start, daughter hates it, turns it off every trip.
I drove it a longer distance for the first time in nearly a year a few weeks back, just got in, plugged phone into the USB cable, bosh, instantly picked it up, loaded up my Google maps, picked up playlist, streamed test match special. Just sipped at the petrol, compared to my usual 31 mpg diesel 4x4. Comparing apples / oranges obviously.
We have almost exactly this vehicle as a runaround hatch when don't need / have something else handy and daughter commuting main use.
Only difference it's on a 19 plate, just had first mot.
Obviously due to Covid wfh etc not done as many miles as expected but in 3 years not put a foot wrong, goes well enough for a 1.2, plenty well enough, gearbox is fine don't know what folks complain about.
Negatives, rear suspension is a little harsh on very sharp speed bumps, example uni car park has those stupid short steep triangular rubber strips across the entrance, you really have to take those slowly.
The usual too much stuff is controlled via the touch screen for my taste but that is most things these days.
I don't have any issue with the stop start, daughter hates it, turns it off every trip.
I drove it a longer distance for the first time in nearly a year a few weeks back, just got in, plugged phone into the USB cable, bosh, instantly picked it up, loaded up my Google maps, picked up playlist, streamed test match special. Just sipped at the petrol, compared to my usual 31 mpg diesel 4x4. Comparing apples / oranges obviously.
Michaelfields said:
You then have this from the reliabilityindex which places the C3 at number 70. What's even stranger is that the Suzuki Swift performs even worse and that's supposed to be one of the most reliable cars on the road. Have to take it all with a pinch of salt.
Rank "Make and
Model" "Reliability
Index"
1 Toyota iQ 3
2 Mitsubishi Lancer 4
3 Vauxhall Agila 7
4 Hyundai Getz 9
5 Honda Jazz 10
6 Hyundai i10 12
7 Nissan Almera Tino 12
8 Hyundai i20 14
9 Citroen C1 14
10 Suzuki Alto 16
11 Honda Insight 17
12 Ford Ka 17
13 Kia Picanto 18
14 Ford Focus 18
15 Mazda MX-5 18
16 CHEVROLET KALOS 19
17 Peugeot 107 19
18 Mazda 2 20
19 Toyota Yaris 22
20 Volkswagen Polo 23
21 Mercedes-Benz CLC 23
22 Seat Ibiza 24
23 Ford Fusion 25
24 Honda Civic 26
25 Toyota Prius 27
26 Honda Accord 28
27 Nissan Almera 29
28 Toyota Aygo 29
29 Ford Fiesta 29
30 Hyundai i30 31
31 Peugeot Partner Tepee 32
32 Suzuki Jimny 32
33 Vauxhall Tigra 34
34 Kia Ceed 34
35 Vauxhall Zafira 35
36 Nissan Note 35
37 Kia Rio 35
38 Mitsubishi Colt 35
39 Toyota Corolla 36
40 Nissan Qashqai+2 37
41 Citroen C3 Picasso 37
42 Citroen Berlingo First 40
43 Renault Twingo 41
44 Nissan Micra 41
45 Renault Scenic 43
46 Toyota Auris 43
47 Audi TT 44
48 Mazda 3 45
49 Skoda Fabia 45
50 Citroen Xsara Picasso 46
51 Renault Kangoo 46
52 Citroen Berlingo Multispace 47
53 Volkswagen Fox 48
54 Suzuki Splash 48
55 Suzuki SX4 50
56 Smart Fortwo 52
57 Ford C-Max 52
58 Rover 25 53
59 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 54
60 FORD MONDEO 54
61 Lexus GS 55
62 Renault Grand Modus 56
63 Honda CR-V 57
64 Suzuki Grand Vitara 57
65 CHEVROLET TACUMA 57
66 Volkswagen Beetle 58
67 Toyota Avensis 59
68 Fiat Punto 60
69 Renault Clio 60
70 Citroen C3 60
71 Mazda 6 60
72 Chevrolet Matiz 61
73 Volvo C30 61
74 Renault Clio Campus 62
75 Renault Megane 62
76 Vauxhall Meriva 63
77 Fiat Panda 63
78 Chevrolet Aveo 64
79 Volkswagen Golf 65
80 Lexus RX 65
81 Audi A4 Allroad 66
82 Suzuki Swift 67
83 Skoda Roomster 68
84 Nissan Qashqai 69
85 Citroen C2 71
86 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 71
87 Volvo S80 73
88 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER 75
89 Peugeot 206 CC 75
90 Chevrolet Cruze 76
91 Renault Laguna 76
92 Hyundai Tucson 76
93 Renault Koleos 77
94 Fiat 500 77
95 Lexus IS 77
96 Alfa Romeo GIULIETTA 78
97 Volvo V70 79
98 Lexus LS 79
99 Vauxhall Astra 80
100 Citroen C-Crosser 81
When is that list from? Some years back surely. Look at some models listed, Rover 25, Vauxhall Zafira, Volvo V70? How long since these were sold new?Rank "Make and
Model" "Reliability
Index"
1 Toyota iQ 3
2 Mitsubishi Lancer 4
3 Vauxhall Agila 7
4 Hyundai Getz 9
5 Honda Jazz 10
6 Hyundai i10 12
7 Nissan Almera Tino 12
8 Hyundai i20 14
9 Citroen C1 14
10 Suzuki Alto 16
11 Honda Insight 17
12 Ford Ka 17
13 Kia Picanto 18
14 Ford Focus 18
15 Mazda MX-5 18
16 CHEVROLET KALOS 19
17 Peugeot 107 19
18 Mazda 2 20
19 Toyota Yaris 22
20 Volkswagen Polo 23
21 Mercedes-Benz CLC 23
22 Seat Ibiza 24
23 Ford Fusion 25
24 Honda Civic 26
25 Toyota Prius 27
26 Honda Accord 28
27 Nissan Almera 29
28 Toyota Aygo 29
29 Ford Fiesta 29
30 Hyundai i30 31
31 Peugeot Partner Tepee 32
32 Suzuki Jimny 32
33 Vauxhall Tigra 34
34 Kia Ceed 34
35 Vauxhall Zafira 35
36 Nissan Note 35
37 Kia Rio 35
38 Mitsubishi Colt 35
39 Toyota Corolla 36
40 Nissan Qashqai+2 37
41 Citroen C3 Picasso 37
42 Citroen Berlingo First 40
43 Renault Twingo 41
44 Nissan Micra 41
45 Renault Scenic 43
46 Toyota Auris 43
47 Audi TT 44
48 Mazda 3 45
49 Skoda Fabia 45
50 Citroen Xsara Picasso 46
51 Renault Kangoo 46
52 Citroen Berlingo Multispace 47
53 Volkswagen Fox 48
54 Suzuki Splash 48
55 Suzuki SX4 50
56 Smart Fortwo 52
57 Ford C-Max 52
58 Rover 25 53
59 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 54
60 FORD MONDEO 54
61 Lexus GS 55
62 Renault Grand Modus 56
63 Honda CR-V 57
64 Suzuki Grand Vitara 57
65 CHEVROLET TACUMA 57
66 Volkswagen Beetle 58
67 Toyota Avensis 59
68 Fiat Punto 60
69 Renault Clio 60
70 Citroen C3 60
71 Mazda 6 60
72 Chevrolet Matiz 61
73 Volvo C30 61
74 Renault Clio Campus 62
75 Renault Megane 62
76 Vauxhall Meriva 63
77 Fiat Panda 63
78 Chevrolet Aveo 64
79 Volkswagen Golf 65
80 Lexus RX 65
81 Audi A4 Allroad 66
82 Suzuki Swift 67
83 Skoda Roomster 68
84 Nissan Qashqai 69
85 Citroen C2 71
86 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 71
87 Volvo S80 73
88 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER 75
89 Peugeot 206 CC 75
90 Chevrolet Cruze 76
91 Renault Laguna 76
92 Hyundai Tucson 76
93 Renault Koleos 77
94 Fiat 500 77
95 Lexus IS 77
96 Alfa Romeo GIULIETTA 78
97 Volvo V70 79
98 Lexus LS 79
99 Vauxhall Astra 80
100 Citroen C-Crosser 81
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