Small SUV · 2017–2021 cars
Citroën C3 Aircross reliability
The Citroën C3 Aircross fails 14% of first MOT tests, 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 69,785 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Citroën C3 Aircross before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 14%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 8% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 69,785
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,100
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Citroën C3 Aircross ages
Each point is the share of Citroën C3 Aircrosss of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Citroën C3 Aircross | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 13.2% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 17.5% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 20.8% | 19.1% |
By year
The best and worst Citroën C3 Aircross years
2021 cars come out best and 2017 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 C3 Aircross | 1,683 | 8.8% | 16% fewer fails | 19,853 |
| 2020 C3 Aircross | 7,519 | 10.1% | 10% fewer fails | 22,391 |
| 2019 C3 Aircross | 25,818 | 13% | 4% more fails | 27,724 |
| 2018 C3 Aircross | 31,668 | 15.5% | 14% more fails | 30,369 |
| 2017 C3 Aircross | 3,097 | 18.3% | 19% more fails | 34,639 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Citroën C3 Aircross
Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 666% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Brakes4.2%95% above avg
- Tyres3.9%10% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure3.1%666% above avg
- Lights and electrics2.6%11% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.5%52% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.8%10% above avg
- Suspension0.7%43% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.4%47% above avg
- Steering0.1%67% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
CV joint boot split or insecure 1.71% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.61% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Brake discs significantly worn 1.25% of tests
Heavily worn discs reduce braking performance and wear pads faster, so a replacement will soon be needed.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.17% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.03% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 6
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.77% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 7
Exhaust system insecurely mounted 0.69% of tests
A loose exhaust can drop or hit the road, causing damage and noise, so it must be secured.
- 8
Headlamp aim set too low 0.59% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Citroën C3 Aircross's MOT certificate most often.
- Brake disc pitted or scored16.29%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking11.51%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit10.94%
- Brake pads wearing thin6.4%
- Brake discs showing some wear4.64%
- Exhaust mounting defective3.04%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Citroën C3 Aircross
- 1
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.
- 2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Brake discs significantly worn
Heavily worn discs reduce braking performance and wear pads faster, so a replacement will soon be needed.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 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 Aircross covers about 7,100 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
- Petrol92.2%
- Diesel7.8%
Most common colours
Grey, Blue, White, Black, Silver
Average engine size: 1.2 litres.
Compare
How the Citroën C3 Aircross compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Puma | 12.4% | 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mazda CX-3 | 13.2% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Kona | 11.7% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Jimny | 30.9% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C3 Aircross | 14% | 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MG ZS | 18.3% | 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C4 Cactus | 24.9% | 54% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small suv ranked in the small suv reliability index, or all Citroën models.
Questions
Citroën C3 Aircross questions, answered
Is the Citroën C3 Aircross reliable?
On MOT results, the Citroën C3 Aircross is about average: it fails 14% of first MOT tests, 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 26 of 40 small suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Citroën C3 Aircross MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Citroën C3 Aircross are cv joint boot split or insecure (1.71% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.61% of tests), brake discs significantly worn (1.25% of tests). By area, brakes fails 4.2% of its tests.
Which Citroën C3 Aircross year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2021 cars do best (16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2017 cars do worst (19% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Citroën C3 Aircross do a year?
A typical Citroën C3 Aircross covers about 7,100 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 Aircross 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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