Build quality on the Citroen C3, on sale next month, has been criticised by Channel 5 motoring show Fifth Gear after presenters pulled several sections of trim off the car.

But Citroen points out that the car featured on Fifth Gear was a pre-production model and says quality issues have been ironed out.

“They could have been more upfront about saying that it wasn't a production right-hand drive model - we've been a victim of entertainment over fact,” says a Citroen spokesman. “Some of the things they did could have been done to any vehicle - one panel in particular, which is for the diagnostic equipment, is designed to come off when pulled.”

He says Citroen is “very happy” with production quality of the C3. “Customers will judge for themselves when they see the car in the showroom.”

Citroen hopes to sell around 14,000 C3s this year - if it receives sufficient supplies. Production has only recently been increased, so there might be a shortfall.

Next year, the manufacturer is confident of retailing between 25,000-28,000 models.