Used car buying guide: Citroen C6

Representing the petrol corner was a 212bhp 3.0 V6 auto, a refined old lump but slower than the torquey 2.7 diesel. It’s a rare sight today.

It was all change in 2009 when the 2.7 gave way to the more tax-friendly 237bhp 3.0 HDi twin-turbo V6 auto. This model is also rare and low-mileage examples are sought after, so a 2010-reg with 12,000 miles sold recently for a high £24,000. Just as the 2.7 bowed out so too did Standard and Lignage trims, leaving Exclusive to fight on alone.

The view in the trade seems to be that for all its complexity, the C6 is a reliable Gallic barge. And there’s an army of dedicated specialists and owners’ clubs to support you should trouble erupt. Buy one before prices for the best rise beyond reach.

Did you know? 

French presidents Jacques Chirac and Nicolas Sarkozy used the Citroën C6 as their official transport. Vive la France!

An expert’s view

“I’ve been selling and servicing Citroëns for 30 years. Most days I’m driving a C6, either one we’ve just serviced, or running one we’ve bought. Aside from differences in their suspension where the bushes might have worn, they’re pretty consistent: they float over broken roads but still feel agile and positive. The C6 is a complex car and while you may find the odd bargain, it’s worth spending more for a well-cared-for example. The 3.0 petrol is the quietest but rare. The 3.0 diesel is rare too, but I’d choose one over the earlier 2.7 diesel, which is more expensive to tax.” Danny Pearcey, Wolsey House Motors

Buyer beware…

ENGINE - Check the condition of the plastic thermostat housing, which can crack, causing a coolant leak. First you’ll know is when the engine temperature light comes on, by which time it’s too late. Check the steel coolant pipe in the nearside front wheelarch — it can rust and lose coolant. The timing belt interval is every 150k miles or 10 years.

GEARBOX - A sign of a careful owner is one who ignores Citroën’s ‘sealed-for-life’ claim and has new oil every 20,000 miles.

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES - Check front wishbones for wear and struts for leaks. Irregular tyre wear is likely due to worn wishbone and lower arm bushes — new parts plus a four-wheel alignment should fix it. Check for corroded suspension pipes and pipe ends. Check tyre pressure monitoring system. Rear-end clunks suggest worn suspension droplinks. Check rear brake calipers aren’t seized.

BODY - Check for galvanic corrosion where the aluminium bonnet and doors meet steel at the leading edge of the bonnet and the tops of the doors. The powered rear spoiler should rise in two stages, first at 40mph and then at 80mph.

INTERIOR - Check all electric functions and controls work. If all the dash lights are out, check the ‘dark’ button hasn’t been pushed — it extinguishes all bar the speedo. Check rear powered seats and steering wheel adjusters. Also worth knowing Just a slight drop in nitrogen pressure in the C6’s seven spheres can seriously affect the car’s attitude, so have the system pressure checked by a specialist such as Pleiades Garage, Sawtry. It can regas the spheres by drilling, recharging and sealing them. Expect to pay around £320.