Most petrol/manual C5 Aircross models use the 3‑cylinder PureTech petrol engine (commonly the 1.2 PureTech 130 with a 6‑speed manual). The model is known for Citroën’s very comfortable suspension and a sliding rear bench that boosts versatility; there’s no diesel DPF or AdBlue to worry about with a petrol. Manual drivetrains mean clutch wear is the main transmission item to watch, and some early PureTech engines have had timing‑chain/tensioner campaigns — check for any recall or remedial work.

• Clutch engagement and gearbox: test for slipping, grabbing or noisy changes and check clutch bite point under light acceleration.
• Cold-start engine noise: listen for rattles/ticks on cold start that can indicate timing-chain/tensioner issues on some PureTech engines; check for any recall/repair history.
• Rear-seat runners and latches: confirm the sliding rear bench moves smoothly, locks positively and that seat mounts aren’t worn or noisy.
• Suspension and dampers: drive over bumps to check for clunks or fading damping from the Progressive Hydraulic Cushions and inspect struts for oil leaks.
• Tyres and brakes: check tyre age/sidewall condition and for uneven wear, plus brake disc scoring and pad life since this is a 6‑year‑old example.