Activa - MOT failure ....... end of the road???

DavidYoxall · Unread post by **DavidYoxall** » 10 May 2010, 11:17

Hi there folks ....

This is my first posting - be gentle!!

My beloved Xantia Activa (first registered in 2000) has just failed its MOT! Not only that, but I also got given one of those horrible red "dangerous" thingys!!!

A bit more abouit the car: 2000 Xantia Activa, Silver, Full leather interior, 98000 miles, CD autochanger.

The stated reasons for failure were:

1) NSF pipe union/joint fluid suspension leaking
2) OSR fluid suspension levelling valve leaking ** Dangerous **
3) NSR (bush badly worn) fluid suspension levelling valve insecure

When asked what all that lot meant, and how much would is be likely to cost, resulted in a lot of shrugging shoulders and the eventual "book it in ..... and we'll see".

The wonderful MOT station cannot look at it for a week, so I'm still wondering!!

Recently, I have also noticed that the ride aint so good anymore - its still got all the original spheres, so they're going to need done soon - I think theres 10 of them on the Activa! It will also need a new set of boots this year.

The question I have to answer is this: It's a ten year old car, with 98000 miles on the clock. I had a brake fluid leak a year ago, and that cost me £200 to get fixed. If this little lot is much more serious - and it sounds to me like it is - then is it worth getting repaired - or is it time for it to go!!

Your comments appreciated.

Thanks!!

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 10 May 2010, 11:52

Hi David, welcome. Why does your name ring a bell with me?

No, it's not the end of the road at all.

Looks like it has failed on leaky Activa rams; a very common complaint now. Lots of information on here and in short, they can be repaired for a fraction of the cost of new ones. Rams are not well designed and corrosion attacks them.

You'll not see change from £800 for new rams and even the bush is £150 from Citroen.

Luckily, all can be done for an outlay of less than £50 and your time. All you need is here on this forum...

For repairs to rams, have a look here. Also on that site you'll find how to remove rams and soon I'll get an article on how to make a substitute bush up on there...

Let's hope we can get your Activa back on the road very soon.

One piece of advice is don't let a garange near it unless they really understand the Activa; few do...

KevMayer · Unread post by **KevMayer** » 14 May 2010, 17:45

Hello David,

Your Activa sounds great and 98000 isn't a massive mileage for the age.

Is there any chance that you could jack the Activa up and put it on axle stands at the rear to take some photos of the leaks etc.

Also, could you remove the front near side wheel and photograph the leaking area.

If we have a clearer idea of what the MOT is referring to we'll be able to give you clearer advice.

One thought I have is that if you tried a second MOT at a Citroen specialist (not a main dealer - they're only good at selling new cars) then they may be able to give advice. A non-Citroen garage won't know what they're looking at.