2004 Citroën C3 · 14,518 MOT tests
2004 Citroën C3 reliability
2004 Citroën C3s fail 50.9% of first MOT tests, 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 20 C3 years (14,518 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Citroën C3s: 35.6%)
- 50.9%
- first-time fail rate (all Citroën C3s: 35.6%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 25% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 79,492
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 14,518
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: 28% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does better)
- 2005 cars: 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- Weak spot: lights and electrics, 30.8% of tests fail here (58% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 21% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2004 car carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Common problems
What fails on a 2004 Citroën C3
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics30.8%
- Suspension22%
- Brakes11.2%
- Body, chassis and structure10.7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors9.5%
- Tyres8.6%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7.4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 6.27%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 5.74%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.62%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Stop lamp not working 4.58%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 4.35%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Coil spring fractured or broken 4.35%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (16.86%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (13.22%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (12.14%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (9.26%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (8.7%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (7.74%)
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 2004 Citroën C3 reliable?
2004 Citroën C3s fail 50.9% of first MOT tests, 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 20 C3 years (14,518 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Citroën C3 MOT?
Most often headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (6.27% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (5.74% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (4.62% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Citroën C3 have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2004 Citroën C3 shows 79,492 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2004 car?
A car first registered in 2004 carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
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