Citroën Grand C4 Picasso Exclusive+ BlueHDi 150 Automatic

What a difference a service can make. Recently, the Grand C4 Picasso has started to feel a bit tired. Slow to start, a little sluggish and with enough warning lights flashing to think I’d forgotten to take down my Christmas tree. Curiously, the steering wheel had also started to make a sound reminiscent of a distressed cat stuck down a well. So I put a call in to Yeoman’s of Exeter, who advised me that a service wasn’t due until the 1st March or 20,000 miles, both of which the car was somewhat short of. But as the AdBlue needed topping up and the distressed cat was in need of rescuing, the Citroën was duly booked in.

On the morning of the service, the oil light started flashing and as is commonplace this time of the year I was told to fill up the screenwash, again. The dealer maintained a service wasn’t due, so the incredibly efficient and friendly Graham at Yeoman’s was surprised to see the illuminated service spanner and advice to service the car within two weeks or 6,000 miles. No doubt the pre-delivery inspection was completed before the date of registration, hence the early demand for a service. Within three hours, the service was completed, the distressed cat had disappeared and our Citroën had been given a much-welcome wash and vacuum.

At this time of the year, you only need travel a few miles for the car to be caked in mud, salt and road grime. The dealer also completed some minor recall work on the tailgate bump stops, as some owners had reported fumes entering the cabin through the tailgate. This isn’t something any of my passengers have reported. Speaking of the tailgate, there’s apparently no fix for the impromptu shower provided by the tailgate opening, although many owners have reported the same problem. Whatever happened to good, old-fashioned drain channels on the roof?

I’m keen to discover if the service has sent the electrical gremlins in the same direction as the distressed cat. Weirdly, the same previously reported satellite navigation glitch appeared at exactly the same spot on the M25 near Heathrow, suggesting there’s an issue with the GPS. The keyless start continues to be a bit hit and miss, while last week I was alerted to the fact there’s a potential problem with the park assist system. I’m fine with being told these things, but flashing lights and buzzers as I enter a roundabout aren’t too helpful! In fairness, though, the Grand C4 Picasso has been a loyal servant this month, pressed into action for numerous school activities and long distance jaunts. It’s not difficult to see why it continues to collect awards because, even when taking away the nice-to-have gadgets and accessories, it’s easy to drive, easy to park and very easy to live with.

The design is also ageing well, as highlighted by a passing comment I overhead, in which a lady told her husband, “There’s one of those new Picasso things. Looks lovely. We should think about replacing our car with one”. Not bad for an MPV that’s already been on sale a year.