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Citroen C1 reliability by build year

Coverage 2005-20222 named generationscity carHatchbackPETROL / DIESEL
At a glance

Citroen C1 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Citroen C1 models built around 2018 fail their MOT a little less often than similar cars the same age.

Check a Citroen C1 by number plate

Key figure

15% of MOT tests on Citroen C1 models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 18% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Citroen C1 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Citroen C1's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your C1's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

C1 Mk2

Mk2 (2014-2022)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROL

14.8% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 8,956 MOT tests at this ageView details →
C1 Mk1

Mk1 (2005-2013)

Average
PETROLDIESEL

26.1% fail rate, built around 2013 (12 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 26.3%)

From 7,606 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Citroen C1.

See every build year for the Citroen C1

Side-by-side

Citroen C1 generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk2 (2014-2022)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings14.8%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 8,956 MOT tests at this age
Mk1 (2005-2013)
Average
Average26.1%built around 2013 (12 years old)from 7,606 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the C1, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Citroen C1 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Citroen C1 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
1,8158.3%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
4,9039.9%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
4,67512.8%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
6,99713.6%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
8,95614.8%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
15,05617.8%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
23,07919.4%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
20,92020.5%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
16,88322.7%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
18,62225.5%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
17,60027.8%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
18,79429.7%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
15,26030.7%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
14,66532.8%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
10,82433.8%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
7,46033.8%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
3,33934.8%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
34132.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 19 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Citroen C1 stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Citroen models

1st of 7

The lowest fail rate of the 7 Citroen models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the lowest third

Against other hatchbacks

27th of 84

27th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

14.9%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Citroen C1 models

These issues come from 7-year-old Citroen C1 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    20.8%
    Advisory: 2,839Fail: 268 (9% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    15.1%
    Advisory: 1,847Fail: 169 (8% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    10.9%
    Advisory: 1,199Fail: 22 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    9.3%
    Advisory: 1,411Fail: 80 (5% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    7.2%
    Advisory: 602Fail: 132 (18% of the times it was found)

Based on 8,956 MOT tests on 7-year-old Citroen C1 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Citroen C1 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres35%
  2. Suspension + Tyres21%
  3. Brakes + Suspension16%
  4. Other + Tyres15%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 2,413 MOT tests on Citroen C1 cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

94%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

12 recalls in all

10 of the 12 Citroen C1 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 9 more

Top concerns

  • Loss of control
  • The stitching pattern used on the rear seat belt material is not to correct specification
  • The bonding of the rear door window glass to the hinge assemblies may not conform to specification

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Volkswagen up!

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.7%

    No clear edge over the Citroen C1 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    15,657 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    DS 3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.9%

    No clear edge over the Citroen C1 on these figures.

    3 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    6,861 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Suzuki Celerio

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.5%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.5%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 2.4%, against 5.2% for the Citroen C1.

    5,662 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Suzuki Ignis

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.3%
    Dangerous
    3.2%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 3.2%, against 5.2% for the Citroen C1.

    6,813 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Citroen C1 across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the lowest fail rate of the 7 Citroen models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 8,956 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Citroen C1 ever sold: 210,189 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 8,956 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.