Used Citroen Cars for Sale

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Used Citroen cars overview

Citroen has long since provided the slightly quirky, very French alternative to the family car mainstream, and that’s been backed up lately by much-improved reliability and quality. That said, there are recurring problems for used Citroens, especially when it comes to the timing belts of the 1.2-litre petrol models, and the turbochargers of older 1.6 diesel cars. Still, if you want a practical family car that looks a little different, and feels way more comfortable, than the norm, then this is the place to look.

Popular used Citroen models

Citroen’s used car line-up majors on compact hatchbacks and family-friendly SUVs and crossovers.

Used Citroen C3

A used Citroen C3 is a rival to the likes of the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo, but it’s a far more interesting car to look at than either of those. From the glowering headlights to the chunky door protectors, and the optional contrast coloured roof, the C3 is definitely one of the more stylish small car options. The cabin is quite stylish too, but it’s not as roomy in the back as a SEAT Ibiza, and while the soft suspension means the C3 is comfortable on city streets, it’s not much fun to drive on the open road. Excellent value for money, though.

Used Citroen C3 Aircross

The used Citroen C3 Aircross is mechanically a slightly taller and roomier version of the Citroen C3 hatchback, but it looks really quite different on the outside, and has some neat styling touches such as the ‘venetian blind’ effect on the rear side windows. The C3 Aircross is practical and spacious inside, and benefits from Citroen’s sofa-like ‘Advanced Comfort’ seats, as well as the softly-sprung suspension which means you can waft along where others bump and bounce. The downside is that softness means lots of body roll in the bends, and the C3 Aircross isn’t half as good to drive as, say, a Ford Puma.

Used Citroen C5 Aircross

The Citroen C5 Aircross has been on sale for some time now, so there are lots to choose from in the used car market. The overall recipe hasn’t changed much in that time (soft suspension for comfort, plenty of space inside) but some of the details have been changed, so it’s worth finding the most recent one possible. The best bit of the C5 Aircross is its practicality — there are three individual seats in the back, which is a boon if you need to fit kids and car seats in. Cabin quality is mostly good, but earlier versions felt a little cheap inside. Beware turbo problems and weak water pumps with the early 1.6 diesels. From 2022 onwards, the C5 Aircross could be bought with a plug-in hybrid option, which gives you up to 36 miles of electric driving, but you do lose a big chunk of boot space to the battery.

Used Citroen C4

On sale since 2020, a used Citroen C4 gives you the option of going for traditional petrol or diesel power (and the 1.5-litre diesel model is exceptionally economical) or going all-electric with the e-C4. Now, be aware that the e-C4 uses a relatively small 50kWh battery, so you’re not going to get much more than 200 miles of range out of a full charge (and 180 miles is probably a more realistic figure) but if you’re not a big-miles driver, it’s worth considering. The C4 is a stylish car that’s half-way between a hatchback and a low-slung SUV, and there’s good space inside, with a well-made (if kinda plastic-y) cabin. The big touchscreen is standard on all models, but it can be maddeningly fiddly to use. All models are peppy to drive, but beware timing belt issues with the 1.2-litre petrol engines.

Used Citroen C1

A used Citroen C1 is one of the most sensible second hand cars you can buy. It benefits from sharing engines and other parts with the old Toyota Aygo — so it’s solidly reliable — while the little 1.0-litre petrol engine is exceptionally economical. Space inside isn’t massive, but then you’d hardly expect it to be. The C1 is actually quite good fun to drive, and doesn’t feel overwhelmed on motorways, but really it’s at its best in town, where its tiny dimensions and light steering make it so easy to park. If you fancy a little extra sophistication, track down a C1 with the optional full-length canvas sunroof.

FAQs

Do Citroen cars hold their value?

Used Citroens will generally hold their value about as well as any other car in the mid-market, so expect to retain around 40-45% of the original price after three years and 60,000 miles. That said, some models — such as the C4 — do rather better than the average, and can hang on to as much as 60% of their original value.

Are Citroen cars expensive to maintain?

No, used Citroens are not expensive to maintain. There are no high performance models, so all versions use frugal petrol or diesel engine (or, in the case of the e-C4, efficient electric motors and batteries) and parts and servicing costs are very competitive.

Are used Citroen cars worth buying?

Yes, a used Citroen is worth buying if you’re looking for a car that’s slightly quirkier and more stylish than the normal dreary family hatchback or SUV. Citroen’s aren’t usually all that sharp to drive, so keen drivers should maybe avoid, but they’re comfortable and refined, and economical to run.