2021 Citroën C3 · 3,421 MOT tests
2021 Citroën C3 reliability
2021 Citroën C3s fail 10.7% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 2 of 20 C3 years (3,421 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Citroën C3s: 35.6%)
- 10.7%
- first-time fail rate (all Citroën C3s: 35.6%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 1% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 3
- 21,542
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 3
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 3,421
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2021 against the years either side
- 2020 cars: 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2021 car does worse)
- Weak spot: body, chassis and structure, 1.3% of tests fail here (467% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: windscreen, wipers and mirrors, 40% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2021 car carries a 70 plate (January–February 2021), or a 21 plate (March–August 2021), or a 71 plate (September–December 2021).
Common problems
What fails on a 2021 Citroën C3
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics4.1%
- Tyres2.3%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.8%
- Brakes1.7%
- Body, chassis and structure1.3%
- Suspension0.4%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.3%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.7%
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
CV joint boot split or insecure 0.64%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 0.64%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Position lamp not working 0.53%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Headlamp aim set too low 0.5%
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Headlamp aim set too high 0.44%
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
Common advisories
Brake disc pitted or scored (5.14%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (5.06%) · Brake discs showing some wear (3.16%) · Brake pads wearing thin (3.04%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (1.55%) · Nail in tyre, monitor (1.23%)
Other years
Every Citroën C3 year
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Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2021 Citroën C3 reliable?
2021 Citroën C3s fail 10.7% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 2 of 20 C3 years (3,421 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2021 Citroën C3 MOT?
Most often tyre cut reaching ply or cords (0.7% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (0.64% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (0.64% of tests).
How many miles should a 2021 Citroën C3 have done?
At its MOT aged about 3, a typical 2021 Citroën C3 shows 21,542 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2021 car?
A car first registered in 2021 carries a 70 plate (January–February 2021), or a 21 plate (March–August 2021), or a 71 plate (September–December 2021).
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