2009 Citroën C3 · 34,322 MOT tests
2009 Citroën C3 reliability
2009 Citroën C3s fail 48.9% of first MOT tests, 27% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 20 C3 years (34,322 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Citroën C3s: 35.6%)
- 48.9%
- first-time fail rate (all Citroën C3s: 35.6%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 27% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 13
- 83,489
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 13
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 34,322
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2009 against the years either side
- 2008 cars: 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2009 car does worse)
- 2010 cars: 26% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2009 car does worse)
- Weak spot: body, chassis and structure, 12.3% of tests fail here (127% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Plates: a 2009 car carries a 58 plate (January–February 2009), or a 09 plate (March–August 2009), or a 59 plate (September–December 2009).
Common problems
What fails on a 2009 Citroën C3
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics25.5%
- Suspension18.5%
- Body, chassis and structure12.3%
- Brakes9.2%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.9%
- Tyres8.7%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks8.2%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Stop lamp not working 7.65%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Position lamp not working 6.51%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
CV joint boot split or insecure 6.5%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 5.1%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 3.95%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.42%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (18.19%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (17.22%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (11.63%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (9.15%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (6.64%) · Exhaust mounting defective (6.01%)
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 2009 Citroën C3 reliable?
2009 Citroën C3s fail 48.9% of first MOT tests, 27% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 20 C3 years (34,322 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2009 Citroën C3 MOT?
Most often stop lamp not working (7.65% of tests), position lamp not working (6.51% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (6.5% of tests).
How many miles should a 2009 Citroën C3 have done?
At its MOT aged about 13, a typical 2009 Citroën C3 shows 83,489 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2009 car?
A car first registered in 2009 carries a 58 plate (January–February 2009), or a 09 plate (March–August 2009), or a 59 plate (September–December 2009).
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