2011 Citroën C3 · 51,852 MOT tests
2011 Citroën C3 reliability
2011 Citroën C3s fail 45.2% of first MOT tests, 30% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 15 of 20 C3 years (51,852 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Citroën C3s: 35.6%)
- 45.2%
- first-time fail rate (all Citroën C3s: 35.6%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 30% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 12
- 77,972
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 12
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 51,852
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2011 against the years either side
- 2010 cars: 26% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2011 car does worse)
- 2012 cars: 37% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2011 car does better)
- Weak spot: steering, 8.3% of tests fail here (236% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 13% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2011 car carries a 60 plate (January–February 2011), or a 11 plate (March–August 2011), or a 61 plate (September–December 2011).
Common problems
What fails on a 2011 Citroën C3
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics22.1%
- Suspension16.5%
- Body, chassis and structure9.4%
- Steering8.3%
- Brakes8.1%
- Tyres7.6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.8%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Coil spring fractured or broken 6.5%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 6.31%
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
Position lamp not working 5.82%
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 5.43%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
CV joint boot split or insecure 4.38%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 4.37%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (17.27%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (14.98%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (9.58%) · Exhaust mounting defective (9.51%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (8.04%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (7.61%)
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 2011 Citroën C3 reliable?
2011 Citroën C3s fail 45.2% of first MOT tests, 30% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 15 of 20 C3 years (51,852 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2011 Citroën C3 MOT?
Most often coil spring fractured or broken (6.5% of tests), track rod end ball joint excessively worn (6.31% of tests), position lamp not working (5.82% of tests).
How many miles should a 2011 Citroën C3 have done?
At its MOT aged about 12, a typical 2011 Citroën C3 shows 77,972 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2011 car?
A car first registered in 2011 carries a 60 plate (January–February 2011), or a 11 plate (March–August 2011), or a 61 plate (September–December 2011).
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