Citroen C3 common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Citroen C3 at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 228,804 UK MOT tests of the Citroen C3 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is exhaust system (mounting defective): recorded on 6.9% of tests of 2018–2020 cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km), 69× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (8.2×); side repeaters (slightly discoloured) (10×); brake discs (worn, but not excessively) (6×). The most common reasons a Citroen C3 fails its MOT are stop lamp (not working); position lamp (not working); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Citroen C3
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Citroen C3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exhaust system: mounting defective | Advisory | 2018–2020 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 6.9% | 0.1% | 69× | 334 |
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 2014–2016 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3.3% | 0.4% | 8.2× | 11,582 |
| Side repeaters: slightly discoloured | Advisory | 2002–2004 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 4.1% | 0.4% | 10× | 514 |
| Brake discs: worn, but not excessively | Advisory | 2018–2020 | 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 3% | 0.5% | 6× | 19,734 |
| Individual direction indicators: slightly discoloured | Advisory | 2011–2013 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 4% | 0.9% | 4.4× | 5,224 |
| Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play | MOT fail | 2009–2011 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 6% | 1.5% | 4× | 11,469 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | Advisory | 2010–2012 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 6.7% | 1.6% | 4.2× | 4,025 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | MOT fail | 2006–2008 | 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 9.2% | 1.9% | 4.8× | 1,191 |
Citroen C3 by mileage (2017–2019 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) | 14,611 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (14%) | Brake discs: worn, but not excessively (3.2%, 5.3×) |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 34,291 | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (16%) | Exhaust system: mounting defective (4.2%, 21×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 14,886 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (16%) | Exhaust system: mounting defective (7.2%, 24×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3,506 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | Exhaust system: mounting defective (8.2%, 41×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 765 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | Exhaust system: mounting defective (6.8%, 34×) |
Citroen C3 by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1,282 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (3.6×) |
| 2003 | 3,518 | Side repeaters: slightly discoloured at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (10×) |
| 2004 | 4,370 | Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (3.5×) |
| 2005 | 5,275 | Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (4×) |
| 2006 | 5,918 | Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (4.7×) |
| 2007 | 6,515 | Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (5.4×) |
| 2008 | 5,817 | Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (6.9×) |
| 2009 | 10,751 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (7.3×) |
| 2010 | 19,849 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (9.8×) |
| 2011 | 16,374 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (23×) |
| 2012 | 15,664 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (28×) |
| 2013 | 14,073 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (23×) |
| 2014 | 14,329 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (23×) |
| 2015 | 12,639 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (35×) |
| 2016 | 10,986 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (48×) |
| 2017 | 19,795 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (32×) |
| 2018 | 25,196 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (41×) |
| 2019 | 23,336 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (69×) |
| 2020 | 12,560 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (38×) |
| 2021 | 551 | Brake discs: worn, but not excessively at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (4.9×) |
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 C3?
In 228,804 UK MOT tests of the Citroen C3 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is exhaust system (mounting defective): recorded on 6.9% of tests of 2018–2020 cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km), 69× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (8.2×); side repeaters (slightly discoloured) (10×); brake discs (worn, but not excessively) (6×). The most common reasons a Citroen C3 fails its MOT are stop lamp (not working); position lamp (not working); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt).
Why do Citroen C3s fail the MOT?
Across 228,804 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Citroen C3 were stop lamp (not working) (6.6% of tests); position lamp (not working) (8.4% of tests); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (4.4% of tests).
At what mileage do Citroen C3 problems start?
The clearest Citroen C3-specific issue, exhaust system (mounting defective), peaks against other cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) on 2018–2020 cars (6.9% of tests vs 0.1% for all cars that age).
Where does this Citroen C3 data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 228,804 tests of the Citroen C3. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.