2005 Citroën C3 · 17,260 MOT tests
2005 Citroën C3 reliability
2005 Citroën C3s fail 50.2% of first MOT tests, 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 7 of 20 C3 years (17,260 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Citroën C3s: 35.6%)
- 50.2%
- first-time fail rate (all Citroën C3s: 35.6%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 23% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- 80,627
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 17,260
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2005 against the years either side
- 2004 cars: 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does better)
- 2006 cars: 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does worse)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 4.1% of tests fail here (77% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 21% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2005 car carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
Common problems
What fails on a 2005 Citroën C3
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics28.8%
- Suspension21.6%
- Body, chassis and structure10.6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors10.3%
- Brakes10%
- Tyres8.5%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7.7%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 5.87%
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 5.2%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.78%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 4.32%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Position lamp not working 4.24%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Stop lamp not working 4.21%
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 (16.56%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (13.14%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (11.87%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (10.48%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (9.8%) · Exhaust has minor gas leak (6.94%)
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 2005 Citroën C3 reliable?
2005 Citroën C3s fail 50.2% of first MOT tests, 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 7 of 20 C3 years (17,260 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2005 Citroën C3 MOT?
Most often headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (5.87% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (5.2% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (4.78% of tests).
How many miles should a 2005 Citroën C3 have done?
At its MOT aged about 17, a typical 2005 Citroën C3 shows 80,627 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2005 car?
A car first registered in 2005 carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
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