Our C2 rattles like hell over third world roads, better than it used to be because i have fitted carpet underlay all round the hollow sections at the back end because you could barely think over the tyre roar especially on the original Michelins, my 15 year old MB doesn't rattle.

For a cheaply made French car its exactly what we expected, but it hasn't detracted from SWMBO's pleasure in the little pocket rocket, if it was built like a Yaris it wouldn't have come with an oversized Diesel engine and wouldn't be a warm hatch that does 50mpg+ and costs £30 ved, it flies because it weighs no more than a motorbike, you pays your money....

I don't expect rattles from Kia, Hyundai, Toyota, Honda, MB or BMW, i do expect less build quality from some other makes and given the attitude to customers once they've been paid i doubt if there will be too much done to put it right.

Edited by gordonbennet on 22/01/2012 at 09:49

I think manufacturers are spending more time making their cars reliable than rattle free. Also the amount of electronics in a car mean more cables and ducts which cause rattles in themselves.

My friend has a 8 year old renault clio. Windows don't work, warning lights on the dash - but it does not rattle!!

I have an Audi which IMHO is the best car for being rattle free. My wifes newish Ford Focus is a carcophany of rattles by comparison.

The only creak or rattle I have ever had from my Audi is a creaking noise at low speed and round town coming from the door frame, this was fixed by massaging silicone sparingly into all of the doorframe seals.

I think most rattles are causued either by lack of forethought in the component designs, or poor production methods. I would be interested to see how rattle-free some of these ultr-cheap Asia-Pac built cars are, I would suspecty the worst ??

The CEO of VW recently inspected the new Hyundai i30 and wondered how they make it so rattle free while they and BMW can't. You'll find the clip on youtube.

My Mazda doesn't rattle. Occasional buzz/creak when it's been very cold and I put the heater on full whack. My Focus used to creak all the time! My husband's Celica whistles; if it's windy, his wing mirrors whistle!

Rover 800s were notorious fro - amongst other things - rattles from the dash.

Caused by poorly fitting trim rubbing together.

Soft foram wedged between the joints usually worked.

My Yaris has a spring which squeaks in the passenger seat base - only when there is a passenger. Can't get at it without removing seat and lower seat trim so I live with it ...

Just put some Judas Priest on the stereo. Works a charm :-)