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Citroen Relay Road Test Reports and Car Reviews

Citroen Relay

2.5 stars - average customer rating
Average driver rating ( based on 16 driver reviews ) | Read all reviews
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The Citroen Relay is a class leader in terms of security, safety and driving pleasure. With a payload of nearly two tonnes and load capacity of between 8m³ and 17m³ in the largest model and available in a range of wheelbases, lengths and heights to give you the perfect van for your needs. Adjustable suspension gives a smooth and comfortable ride and extra touches such as lockable space in the cabin for your laptop and programmable speeding warning make the Citroen Relay an easy choice.

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Citroen Relay reviews by year of make: 2001  2005  2006  2007  2008  2009  Read all reviews

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Citroen Relay Car Reviews

Carl Murphy, Cheshire

Citroen Relay 2001

3 star review

I’ve had my van, a 2001 Y plate Relay with 73,000 miles a few months now and it’s an OK van. It failed its MOT on one break line; the near side front one needed a new starter motor at £126; a front tyre at £48 but that’s all. It carries weight very well but I’m only a gardener so that’s only a few mowers. It really hates hills; I felt like I needed to ask the lads to jump out an push a few times. It’s stupid, the smallest hill and I’m right down the gear box in 2nd or 1st just to get to the top. But, it’s only a 1.9 diesel and does weigh 2.8 tons so it’s not that bad. The problem I have is that if I’ve got a trailer on the tow hitch I can’t open the rear doors to get tools out so have to un-hitch the trailer. It costs around £58 to fill up an I’m filling it up every 6 to 8 days and I am not the fastest of drivers; I just keep up with the flow of traffic. I feel like I’ve slated this van but I’m actually happy with it; it does the job i want it to very well.

Submitted: 17/06/2009 15:21:50

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Sue McDonagh, Vale of Glamorgan

Citroen Relay 2009

3 star review

Just bought a motorhome using the Citroen Relay SWB van as base vehicle. It is pulling to the left noticeably, and dealer tried to tell us it is the camber of the road. It does it on a flat motorway! Having it checked in a couple of days with local dealer. Otherwise van is lovely, comfortable, nippy, great turning circle, just like driving a car. I’d like to know how John Parker of Kent has resolved the same problem.

Submitted: 19/05/2009 09:57:16

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John Stansfield, Yorkshire

Citroen Relay mwb panel van 2008

4 star review

I bought this van to convert into a motor home and did so with out too many problems... apart from the stainless steel door guide which seems to have flecks of rust on it - put this down to poor grade used. I have also had two tyre valves that leaked - had them replaced. Engine management light came on a few times, disconnected battery to reset it and have had no problems since. I have covered 16000 miles so far and have had no major faults the van has had two recalls one point when buying a new van always walk round it and check it it for damage as when I washing the van a week later I noticed a patch of tiny little holes on sliding door. I was surprised that it was filler and after jumping up and down I returned the van and got another door off the dealer. That is about it really.

Submitted: 14/05/2009 10:35:24

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Ray Hunter, Durham

Citroen Relay MWB 2.2 6 speed 2008

4 star review

Pleased with panel van motorhome conversion on Citroen Relay. So far so good 7000 miles fuel 37 to 38mpg. Do feel at times on limit of ability in reverse as if could do with lower gear although no judder etc. Can anyone tell me what parts if any are different on a Citroen van than on Fiat van regards drive train units from axels gearbox clutch engine or any differences at all. Regards Ray.

Submitted: 23/03/2009 10:36:02

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George Brown, Durham

Citroen Relay 35 HDI 160 LWB 2007

1 star review

Van purchased in April 2007. Nice cab and good to drive till the problems started. Spare wheel carrier would not work - lost days of work getting it fixed. Had accident van in repair shop 10 weeks waiting for body panel. Side door warning light kept coming on - still disconnected. Starter motor has been replaced twice, off road 3 days both times. Back door been replaced as 2 cracks appeared in it, days work lost again. Waiting for this door to be replaced as same 2 cracks appeared in new door. Side door hinge had to be replaced. Steering rack went, off road another week. Charge light stayed on garage said it needed alternator took 4 days to fit , just the same then said it needed wiring harness another 3 weeks off the road. Day I picked it up fuel gauge was not working took 3 more days to sort out. Got van back it now uses 1lt of water a day - I’d never used any in the previous 2 years. 10 days later the clutch has gone. Up to now I’ve spent over £2500 on van hires. Phoned Citroen UK to complain but they say it has nothing to do with them.

Submitted: 23/03/2009 09:15:38

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Adrian Sparkes, Warwickshire

Citroen Relay 2.2HDi L2H2 2007

5 star review

Traded in a 2003 Ducato. It is a good van, nice and quiet and very comfortable cab, mine has a/c & factory bulkhead. Fully adjustable seat and steering column makes for a perfect driving position with lots of space for stowing odds and ends. Good access to load space in the rear, MUCH better to step intro than any RWD van (e.g. Sprinter, Transit, Iveco). Mercedes dealer could not get anywhere near the contract rental I got from Citroen & the van has more spec that a Sprinter too. Great on fuel too if driven carefully, I can get almost 40mpg! & average 35+mpg. Only real criticism is with the mirrors as they are not as good for vision as the previous models. Good all round reliable van will have another one.

Submitted: 19/03/2009 09:47:21

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Gary Hyde, Wiltshire

Citroen Relay 2008

1 star review

I’m leasing a Citroen Relay LWb 08. This van is currently on 28000 miles and the amount of work that has been carried out has shocked me and a part of me is glad that is on a lease. I have had a new gearbox and clutch fitted. The fuel pump failed, the brakes gave up on me and the driver’s seat has locked itself in the worst position going. Also, the most recent fault is that the exhaust pipe has snapped... this van is costing me £600 per month and if the truth be known its not worth £6 a month, I think the only good thing about this van is that it looks really smart; shame the engine is not as good.

Submitted: 11/03/2009 09:11:59

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Alastair Elgey, Yorkshire

Citroen Relay 3lt Relay 2007

2 star review

I have the 3lt Relay which has now done only 21k, I have a problem with the clutch slipping. I have been told this could be a problem with the duel mass flywheel, is this a common fault?

Submitted: 24/02/2009 09:26:54

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John Parker, Kent

Citroen Relay 2008

2 star review

From day 1 steering has been pulling to the left. When I reported it to the dealer their reply was "It’s down to the terrain of the road". It makes a horrible noise at the back when going over humps. Very poor for reversing, shudders quite a lot. Wing mirrors vibrate when travelling at 60+.

Submitted: 16/02/2009 09:38:05

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Dan Curtis, Dorset

Citroen Relay 2007

2 star review

Van purchased in June 2007, new clutch fitted June 2008 at 17,900 miles. Now its back into Citroen for ANOTHER clutch at 28,000 miles (Jan 09). I have noticed other people have had juddering whilst reversing which is why I’m wondering if its a common fault, not purely driver error as has been commented by Citroen UK?! Oh and plus several software updates when it has been into Citroen!!

Submitted: 06/02/2009 09:03:13

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Lee Rumney, Yorkshire

Citroen Relay L2 H1 2.2 2007

1 star review

I needed to change my Merc Vito for a wider vehicle, so having spent some time and measuring many interior widths decided on 2 - the Merc Sprinter or the Citroen Relay 3. However, Merc dealer failed to ring me back so the Citroen Relay was ordered. I opted for special order paint and lots of extra’s. Having waited 3 months for the vehicle to arrive and then it needed a full respray I should have stopped at buying it then. Vehicle then arrived another month later and wipers didnt work, fuse had blown, so checked the rest of them and all fuses were put in wrong (come on... 30amp fuses protecting 10amp circuits) How dangerous is that? A week later at 1am the horn decided to go off while I was in bed and then burnt out setting the loom on fire (tried disconnecting the battery in a hurry, you need tools to lift the floor up to do this). A week later the van broke down twice, waited 3 months for a temp repair. Egr faults every week, dash trim falls off, clutch judders in reverse, gearbox crunches in 3rd, it rains inside the van (could grow tomatoes in the back). Brake pedal decides to hit the floor randomly, paintwork is now peeling off. Smokes like my Grandads pipe, engine rattles louder than a baby on steroids, fuel consumption 26mpg, poor heating. Why oh why do they fit black mirrors and grey bumpers. I have had quite a lot of vans over the years and this has to be the worst van I have ever had. At the moment it is back in the garage for more repairs, this is 10mins after they brought it back after been away for 3 weeks. The van is generally very comfy and has a real nice driving position, loads of carrying capacity and thats about all. I do hope Citroen can sort all the major faults with these vans and I’m sure they will.

Submitted: 02/02/2009 10:41:46

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Roger Atkinson, Westmoorland

Citroen Relay H2 L2 2007

2 star review

Improvement over old model, however poor build quality, dealership backup and understanding will have me looking for alternative manufacturers when replacing this vehicle. 1. Washer jets failed to work correctly from new. 2. Rear door button releases fell out 1st time used. 3. Door mirrors vibrate and rattle at high speed. 4. Drivers lumber support failed with a loud bang while negotiating a roundabout (at 5000 miles) 5. Stitching in duel passenger seat started coming apart which is hardly ever used.(at 7000 miles) 6. Sat nav failed to work (at 11000 miles) 7. Cooling system fractured a pipe and lost fluid (at 13000 miles)

Submitted: 30/01/2009 09:27:31

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Darren Allen, Yorkshire

Citroen Relay h1l1 2007

1 star review

I am with David Bamlett on this - mine is just over 12 months old and I have had it in every month for one thing or another. It’s had an egr problem for the last 12 months and Citroen say it’s nothing to do with them. The van is on my drive and not running at all. Citroen should look after the people that have their vans. I WOULD NEVER HAVE A VAN FROM THEM AGAIN!!! Looks like mine is going to take a court case to put it right...

Submitted: 19/01/2009 09:19:11

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David Bamlett, Durham

Citroen Relay L1H1 STANDARD 2006

3 star review

Same as the first review. Build quality was poor. My roof has no paint on it, just a gritty primer I think. Numerous recalls, one being the steering rack reported on other review, same with the imaginary door open buzzer when going round roundabouts. Also taken back now for the fifth time with poor brakes, they have changed nearly all except the servo under warranty and still broke, going in to have the servo changed next week. Side door being repaired as it locked me in the van without being able to open it from the inside, then I couldn’t open it from the outside either. Windscreen washers have fell apart once and been replaced. This is a good one that caused me some havoc on the roads... when indicating, the corners of the van flashed the right direction but the mirror indicators flashed the other direction.. the solution by Evans Halshaw at the time was black tape over the glass till the fault was found (classic) and one more I can remember is the heaters are so useless I had them looked at... no problem says Citroen - it’s that bad I have bought an inverter for the van to convert 12 volts into 240 volts and I now have a 1000 watt electric heater plugged in by my feet! It was a lot cheaper than going down the diesel cab heater route for about 600 quid plus fitting... I have had the van 2 years and am now looking for something else as the warranty is about to expire.. all this from brand new.

Submitted: 08/12/2008 10:24:10

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Simon Ford, Devon

Citroen Relay L2 H2 2007

1 star review

The New Relay offers a higher level of comfort and specification than any of its competitors. ie: the driving position, cab layout, storage compartments, cd-rds radio and free sat-nav are nothing short of superb. The low rear-loading door height is also top-class. However, the problems with this vehicle are build-quality, reliability and after sales service. I drive approximately 1000 miles per week and have previously used Transits, Merc Sprinters or VW’s but was attracted to the Citroen by positive professional reviews, the enhanced cab specification and competitive pricing. After just 10000 miles I required AA asistance to repair a fractured coolant pipe. A temporary repair lasted a further 5000 miles without any problem, until a Citroen replacement could be sourced. This lasted only another 8000 miles before again fracturing in an identical weld position. The AA patrolman who made the 2nd repair advised me not to replace the part as he had recently been called to three identical failures. Interestingly, the temporary repair has now lasted twice as long as two genuine parts combined although Citroen deny there is a fault. From time of purchase, the door hinges and door release quality was poor. The drivers door was difficult to close without force (until the retainer fell apart). The side loading door generates an alarm in the cab to indicate an imaginary open door and, additionally, prevents the central locking from working. The rear door releases fell out in the first week of ownership. Again, from time of purchase, attempting to reverse up any sort of incline will result in either excessive judder or clutch-burning. After approx 25000 miles I noticed a grinding noise from the steering column when maneuvering at slow speeds. According to Citroen, the vehicle is unsafe to drive and requires a replacement steering rack. I was not aware that a steering rack is required at 25k mile intervals! If you want a comfortable driving position, well laid out and high spec cab then buy a Relay. However, if you would prefer a reliable large panel van that spends more time on the road than in the workshop, then buy anything else!

Submitted: 27/05/2008 16:08:18

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Neil Ramey, Leicestershire

Citroen Relay 2.0HDi 1100 SWB 2005

4 star review

Good van, works hard. Nice and quiet and very comfortable cab. Fully adjustable seat and steering column make it very easy to find the perfect driving position and lots of space for stowing odds and ends. Good access to load space in the rear. Good all round reliable van.

Submitted: 22/11/2007 11:52:07

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