mot failure due to suspension leak on 10 plate C5 exclusive

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duncanthedogs
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mot failure due to suspension leak on 10 plate C5 exclusive

Post by duncanthedogs »

Just put my 3 year old C5 exclusive in for its first mot at local garage today and it failed on a major leak from nsf suspension. I was under the impression that the leaky suspension was sorted out on these new cars ? I thought they were sealed for life now. Two weeks out of it's 3 year warranty too. Anyone any suggestions or ideas ? Local garage who did mot said they can fix it for £350.
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Re: mot failure due to suspension leak on 10 plate C5 exclus

Post by JohnD »

Where is "the major leak" coming from? If it is a major leak you should have needed to top up the reservoir by now. All C5s show slight dampness around the top of the suspension struts and it doesn't mean that anything is wrong. Some MOT testers know their C5s - but some don't. Every year I give mine a wipe down before the test. One year I forgot. Sure enough I got an advisory for it.................... Give us some more information.
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duncanthedogs
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Re: mot failure due to suspension leak on 10 plate C5 exclus

Post by duncanthedogs »

The bloke had it up on the ramp and showed me the three dry parts then showed me the leaking part. I think he was on about the sphere. But the mot man wouldn't pass it.
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Re: mot failure due to suspension leak on 10 plate C5 exclus

Post by duncanthedogs »

Just looking at the C5 brochure at the end it mentions the information on the hydractive 3 + and that says the system is maintenance free for 5 years or 200000km. Surely if its leaking somewhere they've got to fix it.
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Re: mot failure due to suspension leak on 10 plate C5 exclus

Post by RichardW »

You can only ask if the Cit dealer will consider a good will fix - they are under no compulsion given that it is out of warranty though - and if you don't have a full MD service history then no chance. Need a bit more info on where it is leaking. It can't be that major or you would have had a low level warning. As noted above, a good clean around, and as long as it is not dripping, or obviously welling up at the time of test, then it should pass, and you can pursue a repair at your leisure (sort of!) - what were they proposing for £350??
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Re: mot failure due to suspension leak on 10 plate C5 exclus

Post by duncanthedogs »

Just been back to the mot guy and he said its from the bottom of the rod at the underneath the sphere. All the seals have gone. Asked why res hadn't gone down and met with shrug of the shoulders. Cost was to replace this big part with the new seals in. Sorry not too much of a mechanic.
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Re: mot failure due to suspension leak on 10 plate C5 exclus

Post by duncanthedogs »

Sorry. The STRUT underneath the sphere. The seals have all blown.
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Re: mot failure due to suspension leak on 10 plate C5 exclus

Post by den169 »

I would let someone else take a look before letting them do it.
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Re: mot failure due to suspension leak on 10 plate C5 exclus

Post by myglaren »

den169 wrote:I would let someone else take a look before letting them do it.
Definitely!
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Re: mot failure due to suspension leak on 10 plate C5 exclus

Post by duncanthedogs »

Just come back from dealer. After 20 mins came back and said yeah seals have gone. Out of warranty though because you e had trouble in th past (new steering rack fitted after 6th visit) we'll phone citroen and see what they say. Comeback and said we'll fix it for 250 + vat. Thats after citroen have knocked 15 percent off for goodwill. Told them to do it for free as it's under 5 year warranty. Now wait and see what they come back with.
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Re: mot failure due to suspension leak on 10 plate C5 exclus

Post by BrianM »

Dealer did a complimentry check over on mine before warranty expired and found the strut leaking too !
It was replaced under warranty.
Would seem its not uncommon :(

Brian
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