written by on 22/05/2010
The Citroen C8 is a practical and stylish MPV let down by poor engineering, an overcomplicated design and rubbish after-sales service. I've owned mine for 6 years. Don't buy one. Ever. Unless you want to pootle around with no power, limited to 3000 rpm because of the famous anti-pollution fault. This randomly comes on and puts the engine in limp home mode, whenever it decides to, usually just as you set off on a long journey. The dealer will sell you a change of particle filter for £750 as a solution. You don't need one and it won't help. I've been to 3 main dealers and 2 independent specialists with this fault over the last 60,000 miles and no-one can solve it.
After 3 years the chrome paint peels off the door handles. The washer system leaks. The front suspension is dodgy and the springs break without warning. The tyres wear faster than a dragsters. The headlight bulbs blow every few months and are a pig to change.
I got a great deal when I bought this car with £3000 cashback in 2004. Now I know why. Citroen, you are letting yourselves down with this car and damaging your reputation. I used to trust your brand. No more.
Honestly with hindsight, I would rather have had a vasectomy in 2004 than bought this car.
Guest's Comment
Written on: 14/07/2011
I have to agree with this review. We bought ours in 2005 at 2 years old and it has been nothing but problems - some of which are covered above. Unfortunately what isn't mentioned is the grand-daddy of all C8 problems (on the 2.0l anyway), the premature cambelt failure (at about half it's replacement interval) leaving you with a bill of between £3000 and £4000. I type this with dirty oily hands as I have just replaced the fan belt, but after removing the front o/s wheel I discovered that the coil spring is broken on that side. Just glad I found this out with the car stationary as I've read reports of them going and punching right through the front tyres (not good at 60mph)!!