Used car buying guide: Citroen C6

Oh, and it’s not quite the last word in dynamic ability, especially when it comes to body control and agility, but then if those things are high on your list of desirables, I suspect you wouldn’t be looking at an eccentric old Citroën.

The engine choice initially was a 3.0-litre petrol V6 with 215bhp or a twin-turbo 2.7-litre diesel V6 with 208bhp, both mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox. A 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel with 171bhp joined in 2007 with a six-speed manual. A 237bhp 3.0-litre diesel V6 arrived in 2009, replacing the 2.7-litre unit.

The C6 was well equipped, too. Trims started with the base car and went up to mid-level Lignage before hitting top-rung Exclusive. Standard equipment included nine airbags, an active rear spoiler, xenon headlights, a head-up display and tyre-pressure monitoring. Options included the Lounge Pack, bringing powered and heated rear seats.

Safety was a high priority, too. At the time of its launch, the C6 scored a five-star Euro NCAP rating and was notable for having a pop-up bonnet that helped it net the first maximum result in the pedestrian impact test.

A final word of warning, though. If you want to become one of the lucky few and get your derrière into this wafty aerodyne, do take note of the first sentence or two of our expert’s view (right). It seems love can come at a hefty price.

What we said then

26 April 2006: “The C6 is a competent, characterful and endearing car. It’s enormous inside, with huge front seats – a car designed as much for its occupants as its driver. Rarely does it feel slow. The engine’s power is delivered smoothly and the gearshifts arrive softly. Its ride is well isolated, although at very low speeds the suspension can’t stop the effect of broken surfaces entering the cabin. The damping’s best work is done at the top end of urban speeds.”

How to get one in your garage

An expert’s view

Rob Moss, C6 specialist, The Chevronic Centre: “I love C6s, but they’re trouble and cost you a lot to maintain. There are lots of things to go wrong. I had a C6 when they were new. It was only two years old when I got it, but it spent a lot of time in the workshop. The main problem is the hydraulic pipes are no longer available, and they leaked even when they were new. Most Citroën hydropneumatic systems are pretty reliable, but these were more specialist. C6s are beautifully designed and made, though.”

Buyer beware

Engine: Servicing for the 2.7-litre V6 will cost about £150 for an interim service, £320 for a full two-yearly service. Timing belts and tensioners should be changed every 100,000 miles or seven years. Check the plastic thermostat housing, which can crack, causing a coolant leak. If the engine temperature light comes on, it’s too late. Rob Moss says the engines are strong but there have been issues with the EGR valve, which can stick or fail. The turbos can be problematic, too. An engine management light could signal an EGR or turbo issue.

Suspension: Chassis issues relate to worn lower-bottom front ball joints (prior to a redesign in 2009). Any issues with the suspension could land you with large four-figure repair bills. A front suspension unit is now about £500. It’s crucial to have diagnostics run on any C6 that you’re thinking of buying.

Wheels, tyres and bodywork: Don’t worry about the alloy wheels, but the body can suffer corrosion around the rear window frame. Trim fixings and many of the components in the pop-up rear spoiler are prone to surface rust. Check that the spoiler operates as it should.

Brakes: The brakes are up to the task, but there were recalls relating to the vacuum circuit, which could lead to the loss of power assistance. The ABS sensors can be problematic and the rear brakes can seize on, due to alloy and steel reacting. A strip-down clean and coating should fix this. The tyre pressure sensors are known to fail.

Interior: The cabin wears reasonably well. The air-con needs regular servicing: expect a re-gas every second year. The steering-wheel switches can cause the cruise control to fail. Check all the electric functions and controls work. If all the dashboard lights are out, check the ‘dark’ button hasn’t been pushed. Check the powered rear seats and steering-wheel adjusters.

Also worth knowing

Any knocking from underneath at the front on pre-2009 cars points to worn bushes and ball joints on the lower suspension arms. You can’t buy a ball joint on its own from Citroën, but there are aftermarket options.

Check that the headlights work properly. Water can get inside and the units are prone to damage from knocks. They’re expensive to replace.

The suspension should start rising when the car is opened, not when you turn on the engine. If it doesn’t, there could be an issue with the electronic pump. Check for frayed wires.

The suspension should stay level on the road. If it doesn’t, there could be an issue with the stiffness-control valve. Just a slight drop in nitrogen pressure in the C6’s seven spheres can seriously affect its attitude, so have a specialist check the system.