Compare Citroen Xsara gearbox 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.

Manufactured between 1997 and 2006, the Citroen Xsara is a small hatchback ideal for drivers with a limited budget. An MPV version - the Xsara Picasso - was launched in 1999. The Xsara hatchback has a decent amount of interior space and is cheap to run, delivering between 33 and 62 mpg, though poor reliability ensures regular trips to the garage. Worn brakes and clogged radiators are common, and you should also keep an eye out for clutch problems.

The gearbox's role is to change the speed of a vehicle. Due to the number of moving parts involved, gearbox problems are relatively common. Below are some signs to look out for and potential causes.

If your car slips out of gear, the gears are likely worn down. Low transmission fluid can cause your gearbox to be noisy in neutral, or your car may not go into gear at all. Checking the fluid level is simple, as we explain here.

When you notice your clutch dragging, this often happens when the flywheel and clutch fail to disengage. A burning smell may be due to the transmission fluid overheating. As soon as you notice these symptoms, contact a car gearbox specialist who can offer advice.

Manual gearboxes are usually easier to maintain because they are simpler; an automatic gearbox repair or semi-automatic gearbox repair requires more specialised skills, so it's essential to find the right transmission specialist.