Compare Citroen Ds3 auto gearbox specialist repair quotes from specialist garages

Over the years, Citroen has come up with more than a few quirky ideas. The second car it produced, the 1922 Type C 5HP, became known as the ‘petit citron' (little lemon) because of its small size and the yellow paint colour you could order it in. Since then, there has been the Citroen Picasso, taking inspiration from Pablo Picasso's use of shape. The Citroen DS 19 was the vehicle of choice for the French President Charles de Gaulle, who survived an assassination attempt in 1962 thanks to the car's superior suspension system, allowing his chauffeur to drive away after two of the tyres were shot.

The DS3, initially manufactured by Citroen before DS became a standalone brand in 2015, is a quirky luxury supermini capable of rivalling the MINI. With a plush interior, reasonably good performance and plenty of kit and personalisation options, it's a popular choice for drivers who want excellent value for money. In 2010, it was named 'Small Car of the Year' at the Fifth Gear Awards, and the following year, it won the Fleet World Design Award. Reliability isn't the DS3's strong point, reflected by the unusually high number of recalls it has experienced for issues including the ABS and faulty bonnet catches.

Automatic gearboxes use hydraulic power to change gears. A torque converter connects the engine to the transmission and uses pressurised fluid to transfer power to the gears. Because this system is more complex, there is more scope for it to develop problems, requiring an automatic gearbox repair.

Signs of a bad automatic gearbox include:

• Gears slipping
• The car won't respond or engage while in gear
• A burning smell
• Leaking fluid
• Grinding or shaking

You should contact an auto gearbox specialist when you notice any of these symptoms. An automatic gearbox specialist repair could take a few days due to its complexity, but it isn't the sort of repair you should put off.

The best way to stave off problems is to have an automatic gearbox service done regularly. This process involves draining the transmission fluid and replacing the filter, which can extend the life of your automatic gearbox.