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There's no doubt Citroen's pretty C3 was a breath of clean air as soon as it been invented in 2002. Inspired by the 2CV, the five-door super mini seemed to be perfectly geared up and also, thanks to the firm's significant cash bonuses, very affordable, too.

As a result, chosen examples characterize excellent value - although along with so numerous engine and equipment combination's to pick around, what hatch is the best?

Cheap running costs add to the beauty, still a couple of C3s are not as good to drive as competitors. Patchy build and flimsy trim are other well-known problems, so although the C3 is a lot of vehicle regarding your finances, it's essential you take your time in order to acquire a good one.

Checklist

Fragile trim: in fact on new examples, the interior trim is flimsy and causes plenty of noises, creaks and rattles. The older the car, the worse this is probably to be... so always check not a thing is absent on every potential buy, and assure every little thing works as it preferably should.

Engine problems: fuel-injection pump failure could ruin 16-valve powerplants. Before you will purchase, assure the engine functions evenly as well as go through the services historical past and receipts to find out if the jobs has been taken out previously.

Air-con: generous levels of standard equipment mean many C3s will have air-conditioning provided. And while this is a necessity for summer, the models can leak. Check the footwells regarding indication of liquid and run the system to make certain it actually cools the air.

Rust: paint protection might be intermittent * mainly upon the roof - so make sure that there's absolutely no mark of corrosion wherever. Get a torch and check under as most efficient you can, too. Thinner body sections, particularly the doorways ( blank ) are as well susceptible to parking marks.

Prices

You could bag a low-mileage one-owner 1.4-litre petrol C3 on an 03-plate for 4,000. An equiv-alent HDi can cost you an extra 500, when a 54-reg petrol or diesel engine would set you back about 7,000.

The 1st Pluriels are these days less than 6,000, and SensoDrive automatic vehicles will not fetch a great premium as right now there tend to be quite a lot about. In case you actually want a 1.4 HDi, you'll need to spend for it; rock-bottom is at this time 7,200 via a main vendor.

Precisely what to start looking for

Automobile lovers must test the SensoDrive before they buy. Its clutchless shift gives a stylish frame, yet changes can be time-consuming. The quirky Pluriel will provide a full-length sunroof/drop-top design, but make sure the fiddly set-up is undamaged. Decide on of the variety is the standard C3 1.4 HDi, with its torquey, inexpensive diesel-powered. Even when the Stop & Start works nicely, cutting energy when you appear to a total halt in traffic, then revved up as you release the brake, it truly is not as economical as the oil-burner.