I test drove this model back to back with a Renault Megane 1.9 DCi, both of 2008 vintage, a few years ago.

The Citroen had more road noise, the Renault had more wind noise. The Citroen had only five gears, the Renault six, but I preferred the interior of the Citroen.

The 110 BHP engine in the Citroen is smooth and has enough grunt for most people and they are good value at the moment.

I would double check whether it has not got a DPF as this engine did give a few problems (same as in Focus 1.6 diesel)

Citroen C4 1.6HDi 16V VTR Plus 5dr (Non-DPFS)

i am looking at a 57 plate one of these - can anyone give me good gen on this car?

The 110 1.6HDi VTR+ is best model of the range, though remember the car is now seven years old. Expect 52-55mpg. 60 if you have a light right foot and keep it under 70. The digital speedo is one of the very few that reads exactly the same as my SatNav.

You MUST change the oil as per the schedule to protect the turbo, and use a genuine PSA filter - pattern filters will cause oil pressure problems. Turbo, brakes, clutch, CANBus are all standard stuff from Garret, Bosch, Valeo etc.

The 17" wheels are largely responsible for the poor ride, and they have stupidly expensive 205×50 tyres - the recommened Michelins are well over £150 each. Consider 16" wheels - the tyre cost is halved and the ride improved.

Conversion to RHD could be better, most noticeably the wipers, the position of the handbrake and no keyhole in the driver's door (it's on the other side). The glovebox is well named as most of the electrical and electronic controls are in and behind it.

The Climate Control is good, as is the speed limiter and cruise control, auto lighting and auto wipers. There's an easy USB add-on to the good but ageing RD4 radio for an iPod or USB stick with MP3s.

Steering wheel controls are on the boss, so don't move with the steering wheel. After a bit you wonder why other cars don't do it as you don't have to look to find the required control (one of which is programmable).

The car's system is metric, and mpg and related readouts are direct conversions - you'll need to get used to oddball figures. Convert the readouts to Km and it all makes sense.

I've had two, covered well over 100,000 miles, and not had a single unscheduled day off the road in seven years.

We also had a Focus with the same engine. The C4 got far better mpg though would lose out in the 0-60 dash. It was more comfortable (awful seats in the Ford, armchairs in the VTR+) and better equipped bar the heated front screen. The Ford also spent far too many days at the dealers - electrics and the clutch being the major issues.

Buying a used C4: c4owners.org/plugins/faq/faq.php?0.cat.4.1

Edited by BigJohnD on 30/01/2014 at 14:54