do you really have to take the battery and tray out just to get at the resevoiur car has been fine for a while then all of a sudden today it sounds like there are a dozen cats stuck underneath the engine at first i thought it may be the fan belt but that seems fine but my steering was also fine except the high pitch whining and screeching

YES u do have to take the battery + tray out

Although bear in mind the system is sealed so significant fluid loss would mean a fault in the system needs to be fixed.

Whilst you're under there, if the gearbox is similar layout to the 1.4mpi, it's also worthwhile checking the gearbox fluid level and topping up if needed as it's a million times easier with the battery and tray removed. Same with any issues with the reverse light switch.

right just finished not only do you have to remove the battery and tray but you also have to remove the airbox . surely a design fault just to get at the fluid also when i took the top off the fluid bottle i found it was full so i still got the problem . does any body know where the pas belt is maybe that is loose ? if you have to take the front 2 doors off and the dash out i dont want to know lol

There isn't a PAS belt, the reservoir is mounted on the pump.

On my 1.4,16v checking the PAS is no problem.............because it has the smaller battery box/tray.............

PAS is electric (EPS) and powered direct from battery....so no need for belt driven pump...

It might need topping up........I check mine every year and have to add 1 teaspoon full every time....so I have a tiny leak which I have not been able to trace.....and It works fine!!!