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Citroen C2 reliability by build year

Coverage 2003-20091 named generationHatchbackDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

Citroen C2 built around 2008: about average at the MOT

Citroen C2 models built around 2008 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Citroen C2 by number plate

Key figure

33% of MOT tests on Citroen C2 models built around 2008 ended in a fail (retests included), against 33% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Citroen C2 models built around 2008 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Citroen C2'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.

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.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

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 C2's generation

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

C2 Mk1

Mk1 (2003-2009)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROLDIESEL

33.5% fail rate, built around 2008 (17 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.2%)

From 2,033 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 C2.

See every build year for the Citroen C2

By age

Citroen C2 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Citroen C2 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
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
1,89135.5%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
1,70333.5%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
2,03333.5%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
1,82433.4%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
1,69633.4%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,45835.0%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
79234.6%

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 15 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 17-year-old Citroen C2 models

These issues come from 17-year-old Citroen C2 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

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

    20.8%
    Advisory: 555Fail: 56 (9% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    20.2%
    Advisory: 427Fail: 167 (28% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    19.0%
    Advisory: 386Fail: 7 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    15.6%
    Advisory: 404Fail: 9 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    15.1%
    Advisory: 396Fail: 54 (12% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,033 MOT tests on 17-year-old Citroen C2 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 17-year-old Citroen C2 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 + Suspension29%
  2. Suspension + Tyres28%
  3. Lighting + Suspension28%
  4. Brakes + Tyres23%

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

Across 1,293 MOT tests on Citroen C2 cars built around 2008 (17 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

Not enough registration data to show this for the Citroen C2.

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.

Recall context

11 recalls in all

All 11 Citroen C2 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 11 recalls

Top concerns

  • Lights may fail without warning
  • Lights may switch off unexpectedly
  • Parking brake may fail

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

    Nissan Micra

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    30.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.9%
    Dangerous
    5.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    Lower fail rate: 30.5%, against 33.4% for the Citroen C2, both built around 2008.

    3 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    17,936 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  2. 2

    Daihatsu Sirion

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.2%
    Dangerous
    6.2%

    Lower fail rate: 28.3%, against 33.4% for the Citroen C2, both built around 2008.

    1,990 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  3. 3

    Hyundai i10

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    31.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.3%
    Dangerous
    8.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.5%

    No clear edge over the Citroen C2 on these figures.

    3,187 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  4. 4

    Volkswagen Beetle

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    36.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97.1%

    No clear edge over the Citroen C2 on these figures.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    3,711 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

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 2008 (17 years old), the Citroen C2 across all generations combined fails MOTs slightly more often than typical for this age. This is based on 2,033 17-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Citroen C2 ever sold: 11,397 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2008 (17 years old): 2,033 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.