Welcome back to What Could Possibly Go Wrong, our weekly wander through the world of ageing used cars that tempt with style, value or sheer oddness, but hide pitfalls under the skin that only the brave (or slightly foolish) would dare to take on.
Forget the safe but soulless world of secondhand SUVs. The Citroen C6 is the flamboyant outsider – dramatic, misunderstood, and more fabulous than sensible. It oozes Gallic charm, the sort of car that makes you glance back in the car park, and has the kind of presence that can make an Audi A6 look like a minicab. I might be biased, I’ve owned a couple, and they’ve been magnificent – surely reason enough to have a look.
You’ll spot them in the cars for sale section from around £3,000, a price that puts it level with a tired Mondeo diesel. Tempting, isn’t it? But should you risk it – or is this a French fancy best admired from afar?
Avant-garde French saloon with limousine comfort
Sounds perfect, doesn’t it? Sadly, things are never that simple. The C6 was always a niche choice – around 1,000 were sold in the UK – and they’ve become infamous for expensive repairs, tricky electronics and complex suspension. That exclusivity is appealing, but it comes with baggage.
When new, most C6s were sold with V6 diesel power shared with the Jaguar XF and Land Rover Discovery. Smooth, yes. Cheap to run, no. A handful of petrol V6s exist, but they’re vanishingly rare. Later cars gained a 240hp 3.0 HDI which is the pick of the bunch, but you’ll need patience and luck to track one down.
At a very quick glance, the C6 looks like an effortless used buy that’s easy to recommend. It’s a dramatic four-door fastback with limousine-like comfort, a hushed interior and a ride quality that makes rivals feel crude. Used prices look tempting next to German execs of the same age, and exclusivity is guaranteed.
Then the penny drops. That avant-garde styling hides a fiendishly complex suspension system, the V6 diesels are notorious for expensive problems, and parts supply is already becoming patchy. It’s cheap because demand is thin, and the internet is full of horror stories of owners bankrupted by wayward electronics and rare components.
Parts supply is proving a real challenge, too. Front suspension struts can top £1,000 apiece, electronic handbrake modules run into four figures, and even routine service items like exhause gas recirculation (EGR) valves, injectors and diesel particulate filters (DPF) are pricey thanks to tight engine access. Running and VED costs are predictably high, with mid-30s mpg, steep road tax and insurance bills to match. On the plus side, there’s a small but passionate Citroen C6 community in the UK, and club support is invaluable.
The mix of fragility, limited prestige and wafer-thin dealer network support and understanding meant values collapsed quickly, and today even clean examples sit from £3,000-£5,000. But cheap doesn’t mean cheerful – you’ll need to budget heavily for upkeep. Citroen ended C6 production in 2012 after building just 23,400 worldwide, making it one of the rarer modern Citroens. Its spiritual successor, the DS 9, may been more conventional, but the C6 remains the last true expression of the firm’s big-car eccentricity.
To find out more, read our full Citroen C6 review and buying guide
Pros
- Looks like nothing else on the road
- Incredible refinement and comfort
- Exclusivity – fewer than 25,000 built worldwide
Cons
- Fragile diesels and costly suspension
- Eye-watering parts prices
- Very limited choice of good ones
Looking to buy a used Citroen C6? Here’s the lowdown on what to look for:
Suspension. The Hydractive 3+ setup is the C6’s party piece, but when it goes wrong the ride turns crashy. Failed spheres or sticky valves are common, and replacement struts can cost four figures. Always check the car raises and lowers smoothly.
Diesel engine. The 2.7 HDI V6 is smooth but fragile. Expect EGR, turbo and DPF problems, plus oil dilution that can wreck the engine. Later 3.0 HDI cars are better, but still expensive to maintain. Regular servicing is non-negotiable.
Transmission. The six-speed automatic is generally tough, but a failed oil cooler can mix coolant and transmission fluid. That’s usually terminal. Hesitation when pulling away is normal, but harsh shifts or shudders mean trouble.
Steering and bushes. At nearly two tonnes the C6 eats suspension components. Worn bushes and balljoints cause wandering on the motorway and clonks over bumps. Tyres also wear unevenly if the alignment’s off.
Electronics. From dash displays to door locks, C6s love a warning light. Weak batteries cause havoc, so check it has the correct spec. Head-up displays, parking sensors and sat nav screens all fail regularly. The electric parking brake is unique to the C6 and prone to failure.
Body and fittings. Frameless double-glazed side windows look great but crack if not defrosted properly. Check they drop and rise smoothly with the doors. Rattles and leaks are common. Rust is far better than older Citroens, but not immune. Inspect sills, subframes and seams carefully, especially underneath. The V6 models have an active rear spoiler that often sticks. It’s a big clue the car’s electrics aren’t in a good place.
Should you buy a Citroen C6?
Not unless you’re ready for high running costs, scarce parts and the constant fear of an electrical meltdown. Proceed with caution – and be prepared for the heartbreak as well as the high bills. I know, because I’ve owned them.
My C6s were a constant mix of highs and lows: sublime comfort on a long motorway run, a cabin that felt genuinely special, and a sense of occasion every time I walked up to it. But it also served up the odd warning light, a mischievous rear spoiler that worked when it fancied, and fuel economy that rarely bettered the mid-30s. When it behaved, I adored it and when it didn’t, I questioned my sanity.
That’s the C6 experience in a nutshell. It’s one of the coolest, most distinctive saloons of the 2000s, but finding a well-maintained example is becoming harder every year. It has huge presence and a truly special feel, yet it demands patience, deep pockets and specialist knowledge. For most people, it’s best admired from the pavement – but for the bold, it’s a love affair that no straight-laced German saloon could ever deliver..
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