2003 Citroën C3 · 11,684 MOT tests
2003 Citroën C3 reliability
2003 Citroën C3s fail 52.4% of first MOT tests, 28% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 14 of 20 C3 years (11,684 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Citroën C3s: 35.6%)
- 52.4%
- first-time fail rate (all Citroën C3s: 35.6%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 28% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 82,616
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 11,684
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- 2004 cars: 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Weak spot: suspension, 26.1% of tests fail here (75% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 58% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Citroën C3
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics30.6%
- Suspension26.1%
- Brakes12.3%
- Body, chassis and structure10.2%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors10%
- Tyres8.7%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6.5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 7.34%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Coil spring fractured or broken 6.86%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 6.5%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.64%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 4.27%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Stop lamp not working 4.25%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (16.83%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (13.9%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (12.71%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (10.99%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (9.95%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (8.51%)
Other years
Every Citroën C3 year
The full picture: Citroën C3 reliability. Before you pay for any Citroën C3, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 Citroën C3 reliable?
2003 Citroën C3s fail 52.4% of first MOT tests, 28% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 14 of 20 C3 years (11,684 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Citroën C3 MOT?
Most often suspension mounting area seriously corroded (7.34% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (6.86% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (6.5% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Citroën C3 have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Citroën C3 shows 82,616 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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