I spoke with the guy that owns the tyre place and he said that the GS-D2 would only be an issue if it was under severe conditions.  Ive still had it swapped to a GS-D3 but  I trust him alot more than I trust the Citroen dealer so I am going to drop the matter.  It does mean I need to speak to the dealer to get the paperwork for the work done so I can stick it in my log book and a receipt of some form for the tyire should I sell it so I can prove it was new and only has 110 miles on it.

The door rattle has stopped for the time being so I am dropping that. So the only thing left is the hire car.

Well, it seems lightning does strike twice.  My rear drivers side has now also snapped.  The car is still currently drivable.  However, I cant afford to have my car in the garage for a week while they ask Citroen UK to authorise to replace it for free.

(not blaming you) but that looks liek its been hit from underneath ?

I can see what you mean, the lower mount is bent upwards.

that looks like the spring has slid off the seat after an impact right enough

I dont think it is the mounting that is damaged just the plastic/rubber cover has distorted with the spring sitting differently.

I dont think it has had an impact, its just french and made of garlic.

ahh yes, if thats a rubber mount over the top of the steel mount then that would explain it... i wasnt expecting the rubber bit to be so big...

That part on my youngest brothers C2 VTS is hard steel, looks a bit different.

VTS has different springs to the VTR/GT.  Yes its a rubber seat that the spring sits on.