Small car · 2008–2019 cars
Citroën C3 Picasso reliability
The Citroën C3 Picasso fails 27.8% of first MOT tests, 49% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 21,407 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Citroën C3 Picasso before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 27.8%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 49% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 21,407
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 6,400
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Citroën C3 Picasso ages
Each point is the share of Citroën C3 Picassos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Citroën C3 Picasso | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 19.4% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 23.2% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 26.4% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 30.1% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 29.8% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 35.2% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 35.1% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 36.4% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 44.4% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 52.8% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 52% | 41.1% |
By year
The best and worst Citroën C3 Picasso years
2017 cars come out best and 2016 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 C3 Picasso | 10,805 | 24.6% | 56% more fails | 34,878 |
| 2016 C3 Picasso | 6,652 | 27.9% | 59% more fails | 38,634 |
| 2015 | 840 | 27% | 29% more fails | 47,429 |
| 2014 | 694 | 32.7% | 37% more fails | 51,585 |
| 2013 | 622 | 33.8% | 22% more fails | 57,681 |
| 2012 | 486 | 36.6% | 19% more fails | 65,355 |
| 2011 | 387 | 40.6% | 15% more fails | 79,746 |
| 2010 | 437 | 49.2% | 28% more fails | 87,566 |
| 2009 | 345 | 50.7% | 30% more fails | 87,826 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Citroën C3 Picasso
Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 339% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics12.2%127% above avg
- Tyres7.1%38% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure5.3%339% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.8%39% above avg
- Brakes4.4%21% above avg
- Suspension2.3%43% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.9%38% above avg
- Steering0.7%10% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.5%19% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Stop lamp not working 3.7% 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 3.34% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 3
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.7% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.34% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.89% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 6
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.64% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 7
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.4% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 8
Windscreen washers not working 1.34% of tests
Without working washers the windscreen cannot be cleaned while driving, which is a safety risk in dirty weather.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Citroën C3 Picasso's MOT certificate most often.
- Brake disc pitted or scored17.09%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit12.81%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking9.73%
- Exhaust mounting defective7.63%
- Brake pads wearing thin6.98%
- Brake discs showing some wear4.52%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Citroën C3 Picasso
- 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
Dipped beam headlamp not working
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 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 Picasso covers about 6,400 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
- Diesel65.4%
- Petrol34.6%
Most common colours
White, Grey, Red, Silver, Purple
Average engine size: 1.4 litres.
Compare
How the Citroën C3 Picasso compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Audi A2 | 43.5% | about average for its age |
| Suzuki Wagon-R+ | 44.6% | 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 106 | 44.8% | 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën Saxo | 46.3% | 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Tigra | 48.1% | 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Baleno | 23.3% | 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C3 Picasso | 27.8% | 49% 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 Picasso questions, answered
Is the Citroën C3 Picasso reliable?
On MOT results, the Citroën C3 Picasso is well below average: it fails 27.8% of first MOT tests, 49% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 58 of 63 small car models in our index.
What fails most on a Citroën C3 Picasso MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Citroën C3 Picasso are stop lamp not working (3.7% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (3.34% of tests), dipped beam headlamp not working (2.7% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 12.2% of its tests.
Which Citroën C3 Picasso year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2017 cars do best (56% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2016 cars do worst (59% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Citroën C3 Picasso do a year?
A typical Citroën C3 Picasso covers about 6,400 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 Picasso 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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