I Got a Citroen C5 for FREE 

Well I'll be damned... 1,525 days later and here we are. You are a man of your word. I'm sitting here with a grin on my face because of Citroen video 😁. Have moved over to an Audi A4 B9 since the last time I asked you for a review of this car. Cheers 🎉🎉🎉

This is so rad to see our car go off to do some good. She served us well for what little we paid for it in Gib, we drove it all the way to Liverpool, toured Portugal and most of Spain in the year we had it. Thanks again Matt!

Hey Matt 🙂 Surprise surprise 🙂 Never in million years would I expect you to say such a nice words about Citroën C5 😉 I've had mine for 8 years 64 reg. and I've done 111 thousand miles on it. Just have had timing belt and major service done and that's about it. Reliable cheap to insure ( £221 a year) cheap to tax and it works all that time. You're welcome to review it any time 😉 even though I think that you've had enough of French for a while...😂😂😂 Anyway brilliant video as always 👍

Before I’ve even watched this video I’ve got to tell you. I put 200,000 miles on one of these as a taxi. Great car and very useful and only real downside is they are heavy on front tyres and trims. Traded it in back in the day for a new Skoda octavia and wish I hadn’t it was fast but so uncomfortable and I was 30 then🙈

Totally agree with your observations regarding maintenance. A colleague has a silver Xsara Estate. It has been to the moon and back and never lets him down. The 2.0 Diesel engine runs like it did on day one and apart from routine servicing it hasn’t cost him much. It isn’t just maintenance that’s an issue. Another colleague bought a brand new Mercedes Estate and had all kinds of issues, including a detached gear stick and a collapsed dashboard. He forgave Mercedes in a way no Citroen or Fiat driver ever would.

During a family trip to menorca, the car hire company gave me a c5. I quite liked it . For the 5 of us, with all the luggage and beach stuff it was pretty good. Not unpleasant to drive, not bad on fuel. Struggling to think of anything else to say, I don't know how you manage to fill a whole vid!

We now need a review of a Ford sierra. Now that’ll take me back to better times!

Well now I'm missing my C5 again! Easily one of the most comfortable cars I have ever owned. Never liked them much until I actually drove one.

I have said it before and I will say it again, I love your channel. Down to earth, real world car reviews for the ordinary man. Thanks for the great work. Seems like you have been doing more reviews recently...... so happy about that. Please keep going!

had mine Mk1 C5 2002 estate for 19 years and now done 280,000 miles and never once broken down. But i do look after it ie service once a year at least Oil and filters, cam belt, etc, and as such it works

Good review Matt, I like your channel mainly because you cover the full spectrum of the cars we can all relate to.

Not sure about the C5 but I used to have a Xantia 1.9TD. The comfort really was next level. Unfortunately it started falling to pieces after I’d had it for less than 6 months and it was only just 4 years old. Haven’t bothered with a French car since. Keep up the good work. 👍👍

Enjoy the everyday car reviews, very good and inspirational to see what can be had and also done with a modest outlay or even, free! Making a fun video for starters. Thank you.

Use my link for 2 Months of Readly for FREE (can be cancelled at anytime) www.readly.com/highpeakautos

I think the C5 is far better than it’s reputation and you‘re spot on with your theory about them being neglected. Keep them coming, good job 👍

I had a red C4 Coupe. Quite liked it and it was stylish and quite sturdy. I do remember the seats and the overall comfort when driving were brilliant too. Will be interesting to see how future Citroen transpires with growing competition 👍

Another great video Matt. I particularly enjoy the ones where you buy a car you've never seen before and always keep my fingers crossed that it will turn out well. I was never really a fan of French cars until I bought my 59 reg semi-auto Pluriel 7 years go. There are very few on the road now (no quips please!) but I'd happily let you have the car to review if you wish to do so. Keep up the good work - you have a great channel.

My parents owned a 2001 Citroën C5 for most of my childhood. It had been imported here to New Zealand by the previous owners and had a sticker on the back from the dealership in Sevenoaks, Kent, where it was sold new. It was a great car and I have very pleasant memories of it. My parents have since bought two brand new Citroëns, although they ended up keeping the old C5 until 2019.

Great review as always pal

At 4:16, when you were discussing future classics; run of the mill; cars people wouldn’t think of; etc, I believe my VW CC Black Edition GT would fit that description perfectly. Looks like a Passat but isn’t (much better in my opinion) and you don’t see many of them about. In fact, I am quite certain most people have no idea what a CC is. At least the people I have spoken to don’t. Another great video, thanks.

Hello Matt, last Citroen I had was a 1.9D Xantia after I sold a 1.4 D AX. The Xantia fell to bits, never got another. Thank you for taking the time to upload another video. Ged

Ah the double chevron Saxo vtr/vts will always hold tremendous nostalgia for me. They do not make them like they used to...mainly for legal reasons! But, handling wise, the looks. Tremendous fun for the money.

I'm from Portugal, like your videos a lot, they're very useful. Oh, btw it's great to finally see the steering wheel on right side of the car😂😂

I used to have a Xantia back in the day, absolutely the comfiest car i've ever owned. Car goes up, car goes down, car goes up.

Always like your honest opinion on the cars. Thanks

I’ve owned a lot of Frenchies over the last 25 years and what you hinted at is what I believe to be correct, they are no worse than any other car out there but always used to get a bad press because buffoon owners would neglect services and then complain bitterly about how bad French cars were when in reality they’d never once lifted the bonnet. Alongside our ‘nice’ car we also run a Renner Twingo to do all the Donkey work like parking in Supermarket Car Parks with all the other goons and we love it, I service it myself and check it over constantly and it’s a great car.

As a fairly local to you owner of an XM, Xantia Activa, and a 2007 C5 with the 2.2 bi-turbo HDi engine, I'm surprised to hear you stick up for the hydropnematic Citroen's. I'm very glad to see you rate them, as I do too, clearly... I presumed your hatred of French cars would stick across the board, but I'm glad it doesn't!

Gt thanks for the video for a great reason to help ❤️❤️

That Facelift C5 here is so common because its used as a cheap Taxi and is very economical. Great video as always Matt,i really love your channel too much that i rewatch your old videos! :D

Great to hear that you are able to say some nice things about French cars... Keep going you are getting greater.

Enjoyed the ownership of a C5 V6 from new. A great car and was a pleasure to drive but as we all know there is a price to pay. Huge depreciation. It lost circa £20K in 5 years.

All old French cars are super comfy, the seats of even older models like the 405 (if you can ever find one these days) or a Citroen DS having owned a 405 i can attest to that. Any chance you may be able to find something like a 605, would like to see it reviewed.

I had a 2013 tourer as a company car, hdi manual. The middle of the steering wheel not rotating took a while to get us to,and the only thing I found a shame (for such a large car) was how little ,pen,chocolate bars,phone,general paraphernalia a company car has, storage for said items.

Great vid as ever. I'm becoming addicted to these. Just subscribed to Readly via your link. I had no idea that such a thing existed ! all the outdoorsy MTB and car mags I regularly or occasionally read. It's like Spotify for mags. Grateful for the info ! 😊

cool! im only 12 but nice car!

I quite like the look of the facelift C5, but then I have had loads of Citroens. I had quite a few Xantias, including a 2.0 turbo petrol estate and an Activa. I also had a 2.0 turbo petrol XM and a 2.1TD XM estate which was huge, and a CX Safari

Another great video! Also, the suspension has some interesting features. For example, when on motorways above a certain speed, the suspension will lower the car to increase stability (lower center of mass) and save fuel. Very interesting!

Thanks for your help and support from Ukraine. Great content as always. Love your videos.

I did once go through a proper Citroen phase - an SM which was glorious (once I found a Dutch specialist using up to date injection and solid state ignition) and three XMs (2.1 diesel and 3 litre V6 petrol). They were incredibly comfortable but rotted, with really temperamental electrics and many parts were close to impossible to find. Nothing contemporary French has any appeal, hydropneumatic suspension I miss terribly.

In the 22 years I lived in France driving old French car's, I never found them to be problematic. Very Comfortable & Quirky yes but not annoyingly unreliable. I think you hit the nail on the head as to the reasons why the ones in the UK suffered so much. Good move sending it off with supply's to the Ukraine. Good Man.

Ah the pictures of the xantia took me back to being a kid and the cars that were on the road!

I'd much rather see one about the model series after this - the 2008-2016 model which was a much more effective design at least aesthetically. Are you able to do one on that?

In about 2002 my friend bought one new, it creaked like an old ship from the start.I always liked the ride and thought it looked good.

Superb review Matt ! This is a car you have to enjoy it's comfort on the inside and forget about the outside.,

Last year for about 4 months I had a this car with a 2.0hdi automatic. I never liked it how it looks, but cheap running costs and good reliability with comfort took me over. I started loving it and appreciating what a car is in it's basic form. For the price it is a good runner.

I find French Cars really cool, I now live in Aachen Germany and I see a lot them here… maybe because I live next door to a Peugeot dealer!! I’ve actually thought about buying a BMW Mini yet I hear something many horror stories about them!! I’ve been driving since 94 and for the first time in many a year I don’t own a car. But that’s a superb free gift from Gibraltar 🇬🇮

Another great video and nice to see a citreon c5 on here. Can you do a video on a skoda fabia mk2 1.2 tsi please would be nice

Sitting chilling out on a friday night trying to sort my fantasy football team and i think may aswell go on youtube for a bit and i see another superb cheap car video by you, brilliant 👏👏👏

The Xantia was a great looking car. Really liked its styling!

I use to work at a Citroen specialist and the a vw specialist. You are very true in what you said the public in this country are prepared to spend £1000s to keep there vw Audi on the road. But give them the same bill for a PSA group car and they will scrap it

The multimedia stalk, the engine options and general vibe of the car remind me of my old 05 2.0 diesel Laguna. A surprisingly capable and comfortable car, even as it was falling apart slowly.

When were you last in one? Two weeks ago! My mate's dad owns a diesel auto top of the range C5 from 2006 and we borrowed it to move some crap around. Really liked the old bus I have to admit

I worked at the Citroen dealer in Hyde for 10 years and the C5 was the best thing they made! Proper unsung heros they are.

My dad drives an automatic Xantia from 2001, and besides some rattles here and there it drives sooo comfortably! You barely even notice going over bumps, it's like driving a flying carpet

Well I wasn’t expecting a C5 review, thank you for not slating it (much! 😉) I’m still driving it’s predecessor, the Xantia. Interesting you’ve some history with those too. I know you’re not keen on the french cars but nice you occasionally include them in your reviews.

Hi Matt well that’s not what I expected I thought you was really going to rip it to pieces as daft as it sounds I can remember the TV adverts for both the Citroen Xantia and the Citroen xsara great video hope your well hope you like the white L405 best wishes ian

You hit the spot with the last comments. Folk in UK do NOT look after them. I had both the BX and Xantia. serviced regularly (by someone who knew about the suspencion), they never let me down and both went well over the "100k" without issue. That is the secret to reliable.

Very generous of you Matt. You've mentioned your Ukrainian friend before. As a Ukrainian myself, please know that your efforts are greatly appreciated. God Bless you and yours, and your business. May all three be prosperous.

All the vehicles I have owned I have had very few issues with, I put this down to the fact i had them serviced and maintained, so many of my friends skip basic service intervals, then question the car after it’s broken down. Just an observation through my life .

Ah the Citroen Xantia I too had a green one and felt great every time I used the keypad to start it up. Great car.

A most enjoyable and remarkably funny critique of a French car - this could become a humorous sub niche for you Matt - having a laugh at French cars.

This is a car that completely passed me by, I forgot they existed. I quite liked the Xantia though, had an estate until my ex drove it into a flood.

There is a C5 just up the road to me , it's in excellent condition for its age , well done for sending the C5 off to help out with a very good cause 👍

Any thoughts? What car disappeared from the roads fastest after it was discontinued - I nominate the Xantia. Soon after it was deleted, they disappeared. Why, very expensive repairs causing them to be written off, rust or unique parts that were unavailable?

Love the little Frenchie :X:X kept me smiling throughout the video :)

At this sight I miss my old C5 Break. Same age as this one and he's never let me down. We parted after an old woman cornered too tight and scraped the left side front to back.

My dad had a 1990 Citroen BX when I was growing up, I was always amazed when the car would sink into its arch covers and raise back up! Then it was set fire to in a car park. Ahh childhood memories

French cars !. had a renault 21 , unreliable ( electrics ) but also a citroen BX . very reliable , but costly to maintain . Loved the BX ride quality especially as we had camping holidays at the time and enjoyed running probably too quickly over the rutted farmers field with the suspension set on "high".

I'm a fan of Peugeot's 405s&406s. I love the new 508 but too expensive. I recently watched a review of a C6 2.7 TD.

I was into Citroën's in my younger days. They drove beautiful..........when they drove. My skills as a curbside mechanic was founded in that period. Well, the car will most certainly come to good use, where it's going. PS! Your little four-legged friend looks to have a happy life in your care.

Coolest part here mate was your stunning little dog what a little beauty 😍 keep videos coming and let's see more of your little pooch in the reviews 👍

Could you please review a Passat B8? I saw you had a white one in stock a few weeks ago but it sold almost instantly. I’ve always found the Passats have really nice interiors for their class and I would love to see how it compares to the Skoda Superb. Cheers.

Another under-rated car you should try Matt is an Insignia VXR, its a different animal to a normal oil burner. i think its low key one of the best most understated cars out there, there good value for money, practical and fun , a 2.8T V6 325 BHP in a manual gearbox. whats not to like ? its rare you ever see an insignia VXR but they do look very well on the road. im a vauxhall fan can you tell ? lol

Had a C5 years ago when i needed a cheap car for a few months and a really good deal came up for one at the time, it was a pristine 2.0L petrol in Burgundy and the one thing I remember about it was the insane comfort, it's easily the most comfortable car I have ever been in and I like how you can essentially make it a SUV with the ride height if you want with the suspension, I didn't have any issues with it but long term given it's french I would assume thing would come up but if you get one for the cheap and it's been maintained it's worth every cent.

I’ve been driving Citroën Xantia for 10 years now. The one I am currently driving is a late 2000 registered 1.8 16v petrol. I bought it for around £1000 (I am in Denmark so that is my best estimate of the exchange rate) and it was a one-owner well looked after example. I have had it for over 5 years now and it is (and I am not lying) very reliable, has never left me stranded and still feels fresh and healthy and VERY comfortable. And there are so few of them left now that I actually feel a bit special driving it around 😃😂

My 2002 C5 is one of the best cars i,ve had. 1 owner since new,well looked after,and no problems the 3 years i have owned it🙂👍. But one of the best things about them is they nearly fint rust. Mine,and several more i know of,are as good as rustfrie even after all these years. And there all cars being driven on salted winter roads! Comfort,lots of room and reliable cars😁

Great stuff as always! Which magazine would you suggest for reviews on used cars?

I ran a Diesel 2.0 as a cab a few years ago. Everybody was trying to put me off saying the suspension will give you problems. But in fact it was the electrics and ECU's which were troublesome. The comfort was amazing but then little problems started to surface. The suspension is supposed to adapt to your driving style and stiffen up on bends and at high cruising speeds. That stopped, then the self leveling HID headlight ECU failed which left the lights pointing down, so you couldn't see at night. I sourced a new one from Belgium. Then it started to go through injectors, one would go every couple of months. My mechanic couldn't get to the root of the problem but suspected the main ECU. Then one day it was running really rough, and yes, there was an ECU problem. We sent it off to a place in Birmingham who can repair them but they said it was irrepairable. A new ECU is a dealer job as the the electronic system has to be programmed to the car. A second hand ECU would have to go to a dealer as well. So the cost was well into 4 figures so I scrapped the car. If they were cheaper to repair there would still be a few around. As for future classics, a mechanic friend of mine has a couple of Peugeot 406 coupe's with the V6 petrol engine. I think they are around the year 2000 age wise. A wolf in sheeps clothing and no silly electronics to go wrong.

Problem with Xantia's and C5's is that they are misunderstood and tumble quickly into undervalued scrapper/runabout where they don't get maintained and hence scrapped. Many many company cars were BX - then Xantia - C5 - the diesels when looked after did proper big mileages - another reason they fell into the scrapper arena - but in company hands most were dealer serviced on the dot hence the big miles and reliability

I’d be very happy to do a long trip in those seats they look comfy beyond belief

You should try the last C5, especially in top spec with adaptive lights, double glass and V6, basically a bentley

I am a Citroen fan. My favourite was my old c5. 1.6 diesel hdi. Never gave trouble comfortable and efficient. Great car.

I haven't heard the name Xantia for years... that was a seriously popular car back in the day. Great blast from the past.

Strangely enough, the only time I've driven a C5 I happened to visit Gibraltar, to refill the tank before returning it to Malaga airport, embarrassingly I had to ask the garage staff how to open the fuel flap as I couldn't find a button or lever, to be told to just push the flap, oh well. I was perhaps more embarrassed because I owned a C4 at the time back in the UK!☺ love the channel Matt .

Can't see it getting classic status, but great to see the car is going to be put to good use on a well needed delivery of goods to The Ukraine. Nice one Matt.

Still driving a 2001 Xantia with 62k on the clock. Only things that have given bother in three years are failed drivers window regulator and an ABS sensor. Other than that just consumables.

My dad had one of these when I was younger. It's was actually quite comfy and ended up really liking it lol

I used to have a 'P' reg Citroen ZX, it was about 8 years old when I bought it, and I kept it for about 6 years. I always maintained it, and it was one of the most reliable cars I've owned to date...

'If you look after them they aren't any less reliable than anything else' Never a truer word spoken! It's amazing how many 'unreliable' cars provide years of reliable service when they're looked after.

I’ve had 2001 C5 with V6 and automatic. It was quite a sweet car to drive. Except motorway because it was quite loud

Matt, what are your thoughts on the Mk1 Volvo C70 Coupe for a future classic? Changed the face of Volvo - great vid, you never fail to deliver!

An idea i got from a Mate of mine, if you were living with a left hand drive car in the uk, why not mount a camera on the right hand door mirror facing forward and the monitor on the top of the dash in the right corner to see round tractor other slow vehicles for overtaking. I had it on my right hand HGV DRIVING ROUND EUROPE AND IT WORKED VERY WELL!!👍👍

An underrated car in my opinion, i used to have a 2.2 VTR as a company car, super comfy & drove very well.

I was given a 60k mile Mk1 3.0 V6 Exclusive Se and with a new set of coils it's my daily driver. I'm 24 years old so rather unusual but I adore mine and for getting everywhere in comfort and refinement I'm a big fan. Also quite the looks. If you want to see what ones like, give me a shout 😁

I've only owned 2 French cars, a £160 ebay Renault Megane MK1 and a Clio 172. The Megane was fantastic in every way and never broke down in the 2 years I owned it. The Clio was flakey, rusty and although the engine was healthy it wasn't all that quick. I quite like the C5, a couple of my pals have had cheap ones and as you say they were good cars, all things considered. But I can't see it suiting me as much as my Saabs.

cool video. Could you do the Mazda 2 MK2 next?

Citroen's are like Marmite, love them or hate them. I don't love them but I have a weird fondness for them having had two as company cars, a white BX diesel which was as bland as you like but efficient and a top spec XM diesel that I loved apart from when it rained heavily and the sunroof leaked and the electrics shorted out.............Great review as always, I signed up for Readly by the way thanks.

My parents had the high spec estate with leather heated seats I was gutted when they gave it to my older brother. It was such a luxurious vehicle. I'd love to have one.

My dad had one with the 1.6 hdi estate, so comfy and practical apart from the complex suspension failing lol

I had a company car many years ago it was a Xantia loved the ride until cam belt broke . Nice video as ever