BODYWORK CHECK

The diesel engine growls into life after a brief pause for the glow plugs and idles smoothly, if not entirely silently. Slip the automatic shifter into drive and the car pulls away smoothly, easing from gear to gear as it gently gathers speed. The car glides away, soothing every bump and rut from the road and holding the car level through bends, making for a very relaxed drive. The steering is incredibly light and the system tight. The power assistance uses the same hydraulics as the suspension and brakes and all the systems work faultlessly. The car rises and lowers on its suspension just as it should, too. The brakes are incredibly sharp with very little pedal travel. This XM’s body is in amazing shape, looking like a car that is three – rather than 23 – years old. The panels have good gaps, are unblemished with no dents or corrosion and the paint is perfect. The plastic trim looks new and the glass has a clear, fresh look to it. It even still has the original dealer number plates. The car has new Michelin tyres all round, with plenty of tread, and there are factory roof rails. Even the headlamp washers work as they should. The luxurious interior is in almost perfect condition. The thickly-padded electricallyadjustable velour seats look like they’ve never been sat on and the carpets don’t appear to have ever been bothered by shoes. The unusual digital dashboard panels below the analogue dials all work correctly and none of the pixels are dead. The wood panels in the centre console are perfect and the original factory radio works, likewise the electric windows, sunroof and door mirrors. The carpet and load space cover The 12-valve engine runs as smoothly as any Gallic diesel from the 1990s and the engine itself has just been serviced, along with the automatic gearbox, which shifts as it should with no untoward noises. The vendor has changed all of the suspension spheres so the suspension and hydraulic system are in excellent working order. The history file contains MoTs and service records up to 23,000 miles, which is when the all-important timing belt was changed. It’s incredible to think that a car as recent and once familiar as this is now so scarce, with UK survivors now down to single figures. This rare example is in as-new original condition, has been well-maintained throughout its life and had work done to it by the dealer so it runs perfectly. It’s a relaxing sofa of a car, perfect for long journeys. Sink into that French mindset and enjoy the ride!