Small car · 2001–2021 cars

Citroën C3 reliability

The Citroën C3 fails 35.6% of first MOT tests, 28% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 626,904 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Well below averageReliability score 24/100#48 of 63 small cars

Checking a Citroën C3 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 35.6%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 28% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 626,904; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 6,800; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Citroën C3 can still be a good buy if you check it properly. Its first-time MOT fail rate is 35.6%, compared with 28.4% for all cars. It has 28% more MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage and ranks 48 of 63 small car models. Its weakest area is body, chassis and structure, with 141% more fails there than comparable cars, so inspect the bodywork closely.

Year matters too. Cars from 2020 had 11% fewer MOT fails than comparable cars, while 2016 cars had 49% more. Whichever car you view, check these four faults first: a stop lamp not working (3.95% of tests), a split or insecure CV joint boot (3.4%), a position lamp not working (3.3%), and a fractured or broken coil spring (3.2%).

MOT fail rate by age

How the Citroën C3 ages

Each point is the share of Citroën C3s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Citroën C3All cars

Citroën C3 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Citroën C3	All cars
3	10.5%	12.3%
4	14.2%	14.1%
5	18.7%	16.4%
6	23.7%	19.1%
7	28.6%	22.1%
8	32.4%	25.5%
9	36%	28.8%
10	40.7%	31.8%
11	43.9%	34.6%
12	46.4%	37.3%
13	48.2%	39.5%
14	48.9%	41.1%
15	47.9%	42.3%
16	48.2%	42.9%
17	49.7%	43.4%
18	50.3%	43.5%
19	52.2%	43.4%
20	52%	42.8%
21	53.7%	41.4%
22	48.5%	40.6%

By year

The best and worst Citroën C3 years

2020 cars come out best and 2016 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Citroën C3 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 C3	3,421	10.7%	1% fewer fails	21,542
2020 C3	14,313	10.3%	11% fewer fails	23,948
2019 C3	36,606	13.5%	7% more fails	27,431
2018 C3	53,967	16.2%	13% more fails	32,738
2017 C3	52,156	21.1%	27% more fails	39,012
2016 C3	29,230	26.9%	49% more fails	39,441
2015 C3	40,231	30.4%	43% more fails	47,186
2014 C3	45,507	33.4%	37% more fails	53,001
2013 C3	44,721	38%	35% more fails	62,479
2012 C3	49,924	42.7%	37% more fails	68,860
2011 C3	51,852	45.2%	30% more fails	77,972
2010 C3	63,391	47.2%	26% more fails	84,319
2009 C3	34,322	48.9%	27% more fails	83,489
2008 C3	18,771	48%	25% more fails	75,714
2007 C3	21,325	48.5%	23% more fails	77,394
2006 C3	19,500	47.6%	20% more fails	76,865
2005 C3	17,260	50.2%	23% more fails	80,627
2004 C3	14,518	50.9%	25% more fails	79,492
2003 C3	11,684	52.4%	28% more fails	82,616
2002 C3	4,203	51.7%	25% more fails	87,613

Common problems

What fails most on a Citroën C3

Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 141% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics17.3%60% above avg
Suspension11%26% above avg
Body, chassis and structure7.8%141% above avg
Tyres6.8%16% above avg
Brakes6.4%1% above avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.8%25% above avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.9%35% above avg
Steering3.1%78% above avg
Seat belts and airbags1.1%26% above avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Stop lamp not working 3.95% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
2
CV joint boot split or insecure 3.4% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
3
Position lamp not working 3.3% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
4
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.2% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
5
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.79% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
6
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.58% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
7
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.45% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
8
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 2.23% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Citroën C3's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit14.79%
Brake disc pitted or scored12.34%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking10.42%
Exhaust mounting defective6.76%
Engine oil leak, not excessive6.23%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear5.14%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Citroën C3

1
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
2
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
3
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
4
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Citroën C3 covers about 6,800 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Petrol63.6%
Diesel36.4%
LPG0%
Electric0%
Hybrid0%

Most common colours

Blue, Grey, White, Red, Silver

Average engine size: 1.4 litres.

Compare

How the Citroën C3 compares with its rivals

Citroën C3 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Audi A1	21.3%	8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Skoda Fabia	29.5%	4% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Nissan Note	34.9%	10% more MOT fails than the average car its age
SEAT Ibiza	33.6%	21% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot 208	27.5%	27% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Citroën C3	35.6%	28% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot 207	49%	31% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Citroën models.

Questions

Citroën C3 questions, answered

Is the Citroën C3 reliable?

On MOT results, the Citroën C3 is well below average: it fails 35.6% of first MOT tests, 28% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 48 of 63 small car models in our index.

What fails most on a Citroën C3 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Citroën C3 are stop lamp not working (3.95% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (3.4% of tests), position lamp not working (3.3% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 17.3% of its tests.

Which Citroën C3 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2020 cars do best (11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2016 cars do worst (49% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Citroën C3 do a year?

A typical Citroën C3 covers about 6,800 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Citroën C3 before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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