2008 Citroën C3 · 18,771 MOT tests
2008 Citroën C3 reliability
2008 Citroën C3s fail 48% of first MOT tests, 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 9 of 20 C3 years (18,771 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Citroën C3s: 35.6%)
- 48%
- 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 14
- 75,714
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 14
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 18,771
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2008 against the years either side
- 2007 cars: 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2008 car does worse)
- 2009 cars: 27% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2008 car does better)
- Weak spot: body, chassis and structure, 14.2% of tests fail here (142% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 52% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2008 car carries a 57 plate (January–February 2008), or a 08 plate (March–August 2008), or a 58 plate (September–December 2008).
Common problems
What fails on a 2008 Citroën C3
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics23.3%
- Suspension19%
- Body, chassis and structure14.2%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors10.8%
- Brakes9.2%
- Tyres8.4%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks5.5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
CV joint boot split or insecure 7.43%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Stop lamp not working 4.57%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 4.38%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.22%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.74%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.62%
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 (16.02%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (14.98%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (11.95%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (11.68%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (7.9%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (6.46%)
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 2008 Citroën C3 reliable?
2008 Citroën C3s fail 48% of first MOT tests, 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 9 of 20 C3 years (18,771 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2008 Citroën C3 MOT?
Most often cv joint boot split or insecure (7.43% of tests), stop lamp not working (4.57% of tests), dipped beam headlamp not working (4.38% of tests).
How many miles should a 2008 Citroën C3 have done?
At its MOT aged about 14, a typical 2008 Citroën C3 shows 75,714 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2008 car?
A car first registered in 2008 carries a 57 plate (January–February 2008), or a 08 plate (March–August 2008), or a 58 plate (September–December 2008).
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