Citroën Nemo 1
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The Citroën Nemo (2008–2017) is the smallest panel van in the PSA portfolio — identical to the Fiat Fiorino and Peugeot Bipper, built in Turkey on a Fiat platform. A delivery van for the last mile that was occasionally also sold as a Multispace family version. Expectations regarding comfort or equipment are misplaced.
Engine choice: The DV4 (1.4 HDi, 50 kW) is the only diesel and by far the most common engine in the Nemo. Frugal (4.5–5.5 L/100 km), robust in basic construction, but at the performance limit under full load. The timing belt is critical: interval 80,000 km or 5 years, cost 300–500 €. The engine comes from the PSA parts shelf and has been proven millions of times over — though with a known issue: oil leak at the cylinder head, especially the valve cover gasket. If ignored, oil drips onto the exhaust manifold. Gasket replacement cost: 150–300 €.
The FHZ (1.3L Fiat Multijet, 55 kW) is the Fiat alternative — a familiar diesel from the Fiat parts bin (Punto, Panda, Doblo). Timing chain instead of belt — so no belt change needed. However: oil dilution from diesel in the engine oil on short-trip use and DPF problems with frequent urban driving.
Vehicle weaknesses: Rust is an issue on the Nemo — especially the sliding door rail (if fitted) and the rear doors. The commercial vehicle construction has thinner panels than a passenger car. The brake vacuum pump can fail — symptom: hard brake pedal, significantly longer stopping distance. This is safety-critical: immediately visit a workshop (200–400 €).
The top mounts (strut mounts, front) wear early — typical for light commercial vehicles that are heavily loaded. Thumping over every bump, MOT failure. Cost: 100–200 € per side. The windscreen wiper mechanism is undersized — wiper motors and linkage fail, especially in winter (100–250 €). The electrics show Fiat-typical vulnerabilities: wiring loom in the rear door area chafes through, tail lights fail.
Several recalls: airbag wiring loom, ESP rollover risk, fuel line — all verifiable via the national vehicle authority and must be checked on used vehicles.
Test drive: Test brake pedal for firmness — hard = check vacuum pump. Cold-start: oil leaks under the engine? Top mounts: over bumps — thumping? Sliding door rail for rust and smooth operation. Test windscreen wipers in rain. Tail lights and electrics: check all functions.
2026 market: Nemo panel van from 1,500–4,000 €. Multispace from 2,000–5,000 €. The Nemo is a used vehicle for tradespeople and delivery services — affordable to run if the recalls are completed and the brakes work.
Insider pick: DV4 1.4 HDi with 5-speed manual, Multispace version (if passenger transport is needed) — the simplest drivetrain, the least electronics. FHZ only for long-distance drivers (fewer DPF problems with motorway use).
Engine Overview
engines.variants_same_ps
Fiat MultiJet diesel (1.3 L, 55 kW) in the Citroen Nemo, identical to the Fiat Fiorino. A compact four-cylinder with good torque for a mini-van. Maintenance-free timing chain. EGR valve and swirl flaps are the best-known weak points — coking is common on short trips. Check injector seals regularly. With regular oil changes using the correct specification, a robust and economical commercial vehicle engine.
- !! Timing chain stretches from 150,000 km
The FHZ timing chain stretches at high mileages.
Symptoms: Rattling on cold start, rough running, check engine light - !! Turbo shaft seal leaking, oil entering intake from 110,000 km
The shaft seals in the small turbocharger of the 1.3 MultiJet (Fiat unit, code FHZ) wear out. Oil enters the intercooler and intake tract (oil film visible in the air filter box). DPF clogging from oil contamination is a consequence.
Symptoms: Blue smoke on pull-away or acceleration, oil film in air filter box, increased oil consumption, burning oil smell from exhaust. Power loss at higher revs. - !! EGR valve carbonised, cylinder head intake side fouled from 90,000 km
The EGR valve on the 1.3 MultiJet builds up heavy deposits. The intake tract and cylinder head carbon up significantly. The valve is difficult to access and replacement is labour-intensive. Without cleaning, engine power steadily decreases.
Symptoms: Hesitation and shudder at 1,700 rpm under part load, visible oily deposits in the intake tract, code P0401 (EGR flow), increased fuel consumption.
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Entry-level variant of the 1.6 HDi (55 kW), economical and adequate for city driving but with very limited power reserves. Belt-driven timing with a replacement interval of 240,000 km or 10 years. The turbocharger oil feed line tends to clog — short oil change intervals provide protection. Injectors and DPF on short trips are the most common issues. An undemanding engine as long as maintenance is kept up.
- !! Turbocharger damage from oil sludge from 150,000 km
Oil sludge and coke deposits block the oil supply passage to the turbo journal bearing. Typical with excessively long oil change intervals. The 75 hp fixed-geometry variant is slightly less affected than the VTG versions.
Symptoms: Whistling noise under acceleration, blue exhaust, noticeably reduced boost, oil loss - !! Leaking injector seals at cylinder head from 130,000 km
Injector copper washers on the DV6-75 can fail and let combustion gases past the injector seat. In the worst case the injector seat seizes, meaning removal is only possible with specialist extraction tools.
Symptoms: Ticking or knocking from the engine, diesel smell, black soot streaks at the injector, misfires - !! EGR valve and cooler sooted up from 100,000 km
On the 75 hp DV6, the EGR valve and EGR cooler coke up early from heavy urban driving. The car frequently falls into limp mode; a heavily sooted cooler can become porous and let in coolant.
Symptoms: Limp mode, power loss, hesitation at medium load, engine warning light P0401
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Recall: missing ESP — Nemo rolls over in ADAC elk test In the ADAC elk test the Citroën Nemo tipped over at just 80 km/h because it lacked ESP. PSA only fitted ESP as standard from September 2010 on diesel variants; petrol versions followed later. Vehicles built before 2010 without ESP are significantly at risk of rollover. Symptoms: During sudden evasive manoeuvres the vehicle risks rolling over — no warning display as ESP is absent | Low | |
| Recall: fuel line defective — fire risk (2011–2012) On vehicles from 2011 and 2012 faulty fuel lines were recalled due to fire risk from fuel leakage. Repair free of charge at a Citroën dealership. Symptoms: Fuel smell, visible fuel stains under the vehicle — fire risk | Low | |
| Recall: faulty airbag wiring Faulty wiring in the Nemo can impair airbag deployment. Affected vehicles were recalled to inspect and replace the wiring connections if necessary. | Low | |
| Oil loss at cylinder head - typical PSA problem The Nemo with TU petrol engine shows early oil loss around the cylinder head gasket area. The problem is well known to PSA workshops but was never resolved by design. Diesel variants leak oil from the crankshaft seal. Symptoms: Oil traces on cylinder head, dropping oil level, oil smell when opening bonnet from 80,000 km | Medium |
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 22 weaknesses have been documented for the Citroën Nemo 1 (2008–2017) — 12 engine-related and 10 vehicle-related. One problem engine: DV6-75 (1.6L HDi 75). Typical issues affect Other, Rust, Brakes, Electronics.
Nemo (DV6-75, 2008–2017) — Stay Away!: Turbocharger damage from oil sludge, Leaking injector seals at cylinder head, EGR valve and cooler sooted up. Power: 75 PS.
Nemo (FHZ, 2008–2014) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretches, Turbo shaft seal leaking, oil entering intake, EGR valve carbonised, cylinder head intake side fouled. Power: 75 PS.
What to watch out for with the Citroën Nemo? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Citroën Nemo 1 have? +
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Which engine is recommended? +
Which Citroën Nemo 1 engine is the most fun? +
Is the Citroën Nemo 1 worth buying used? +
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee