Citroen C1 common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Citroen C1 at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 168,720 UK MOT tests of the Citroen C1 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is linkage pins and bushes (pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement): recorded on 7% of tests of 2015–2017 cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km), 70× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: switch (inoperative) (16×); exhaust system (mounting defective) (20×); rigid brake pipes (corroded, covered in grease or other material) (6.5×). The most common reasons a Citroen C1 fails its MOT are position lamp (not working); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively); service brake performance (excessively binding).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Citroen C1
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Citroen C1 than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | Advisory | 2015–2017 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 7% | 0.1% | 70× | 5,108 |
| Switch: inoperative | MOT fail | 2011–2013 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3.3% | 0.2% | 16× | 6,681 |
| Exhaust system: mounting defective | Advisory | 2017–2019 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 4% | 0.2% | 20× | 601 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | Advisory | 2012–2014 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 20% | 3.1% | 6.5× | 4,580 |
| Wheels (condition): slightly distorted | Advisory | 2008–2010 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 8.6% | 1% | 8.6× | 395 |
| Service brake performance: excessively binding | MOT fail | 2007–2009 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 8% | 1.6% | 5× | 7,964 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | Advisory | 2020–2022 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 7.1% | 1.1% | 6.5× | 826 |
| Position lamp: not working | MOT fail | 2016–2018 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3.9% | 0.9% | 4.3× | 2,433 |
Citroen C1 by mileage (2015–2017 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 5,602 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (16%) | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (12%, 2.7×) |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 18,713 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (19%) | Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (4.3%, 21×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 14,384 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (17%) | Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (6.1%, 30×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 5,108 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (19%) | Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (7%, 70×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 1,226 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (20%) | Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (8.2%, 82×) |
Citroen C1 by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 793 | Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (10×) |
| 2006 | 5,219 | Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (13×) |
| 2007 | 8,129 | Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (17×) |
| 2008 | 11,037 | Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (18×) |
| 2009 | 12,413 | Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (19×) |
| 2010 | 13,434 | Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (22×) |
| 2011 | 14,061 | Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (30×) |
| 2012 | 14,016 | Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (33×) |
| 2013 | 14,106 | Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (55×) |
| 2014 | 13,654 | Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (47×) |
| 2015 | 17,997 | Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (44×) |
| 2016 | 18,237 | Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (82×) |
| 2017 | 9,189 | Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (70×) |
| 2018 | 7,228 | Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (47×) |
| 2019 | 5,274 | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (2.6×) |
| 2020 | 3,780 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.7×) |
| 2021 | 152 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (6.5×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Citroen C1?
In 168,720 UK MOT tests of the Citroen C1 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is linkage pins and bushes (pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement): recorded on 7% of tests of 2015–2017 cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km), 70× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: switch (inoperative) (16×); exhaust system (mounting defective) (20×); rigid brake pipes (corroded, covered in grease or other material) (6.5×). The most common reasons a Citroen C1 fails its MOT are position lamp (not working); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively); service brake performance (excessively binding).
Why do Citroen C1s fail the MOT?
Across 168,720 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Citroen C1 were position lamp (not working) (7.2% of tests); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively) (3.4% of tests); service brake performance (excessively binding) (6% of tests).
At what mileage do Citroen C1 problems start?
The clearest Citroen C1-specific issue, linkage pins and bushes (pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement), peaks against other cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) on 2015–2017 cars (7% of tests vs 0.1% for all cars that age).
Where does this Citroen C1 data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 168,720 tests of the Citroen C1. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.