Exclusive 1.6 HDi 5dr People Carrier

Roomy, comfortable, good fuel economy, but engine lacks sparkle

Bought this from a Citroen main dealer, ex motobility with 25000 mls, also with 12 month Citroen select warranty.

Five months on and 4000 mls later, average mpg is 54 - 55 and climate control is always on. Recent hot weather and climate control set to 17C, saw mpg drop to 51.

Generally a good all round car and according to my Citroen manual, this version has no DPF.

It's general condition is excellent, I have added Citroen mud flaps front and back and as the gear gaiter was falling apart, replaced it with a leather gaiter. Replacement is slightly tricky, as the gear knob pulls off, rather than screws off. Made a simple tool to get Gear knob off.

Where I do find the Picasso slightly disappointing is on acceleration in 4th and 5th gears as the torque level seems poor and overtakes needs a bit of thought.

It is noisy at 80mph in 5th and either a taller 5th gear or maybe a 6 speed box, would have been better.

Tax on this model is £100 pa, despite the dealer telling it was £30pa, but they have paid my tax for two years as some compensation.

No problems too date.

Update January 2014.

Car started developing electrical faults, with various bulbs blown and replaced.
Recently the nearside front sidelight did not work and the bulb was OK, with no 12v supply. Checked on the Internet Forums and found that some 09 C3 Picasso's had a problem in that water could ingress into the centre plug (Marron) in fusebox, caused by the washer pump. Checked mine and the centre plug was full of water and green with Corrosion. Photographed the plug and socket, contacted my Citroen dealer, as the car was still under warranty. Pleased to say that the problem has now been solved and new washer pump fitted.

Update January 2017

At 61000 mls have now traded the car in for 2013 Honda Jazz SE Plus.

The Picasso has been an extremely good purchase and the only problems were the initial electrical gremlins, plus the occasional blown bulb (It pays to use good quality replacements).

Hopefully the Jazz will be an equally good purchase, it will be my first petrol engine for a few years, but these days my annual mileage is only 9 - 10000 and there seems to be a growing anti- Diesel brigade currently.

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