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Citroen C2 Mk1 (2003-2009) reliability

At a glance

Citroen C2 Mk1 built around 2008: about average at the MOT

Citroen C2 Mk1 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.

Looking at a Citroen C2 Mk1?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

33% of MOT tests on Citroen C2 Mk1 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 Mk1 models built around 2008 involves the tyres.

Citroen C2 Mk1
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2003-2009HatchbackPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 11,099 tests of C2 models registered 2003-2009.

About 1 in 10 C2 Mk1 MOTs (9.9%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2008 (17 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 2,033 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 12 C2 Mk1 MOTs (7.6%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2008 (17 years old).

Based on 2,033 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk1 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
1,59335.5%
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.

How the C2 Mk1 compares

At each age below, see how the C2 Mk1 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 37,702 tests across 11 Citroen models, built around 2008 (17 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateCitroen average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
1,59335.5%
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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the C2 Mk1.

  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 33.5% for the Citroen C2 Mk1, 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 33.5% for the Citroen C2 Mk1, 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 Mk1 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 Mk1 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.

Recall context

11 recalls in all

All 11 C2 Mk1 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.

Fail rate by engine size, built around 2008 (17 years old)

Engine sizes across all petrol C2 tests (not specific to Mk1).

1.0 to 1.4 litres33.6%1,266 tests1.4 to 2.0 litres33.3%505 tests
How C2 Mk1 cars have aged

How C2 Mk1 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%40%1214161820Age at MOTBuilt around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 32.0% (2,016 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 32.4% (1,757 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 32.8% (1,487 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 33.5% (1,237 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 33.4% (933 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 33.5% (2,637 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 31.9% (2,144 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 32.3% (1,844 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 32.5% (1,460 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 31.9% (1,110 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 33.3% (3,118 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 32.4% (2,479 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 33.0% (1,968 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 32.4% (1,502 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 33.5% (1,133 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 33.5% (2,897 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 33.8% (2,336 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 32.2% (1,768 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 33.4% (1,355 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 31.8% (948 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 35.2% (2,967 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 34.3% (2,228 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 34.5% (1,745 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 34.3% (1,240 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 34.3% (904 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 36.8% (2,546 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 35.2% (1,819 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 35.5% (1,370 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 35.6% (961 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 35.0% (701 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 34.9% (129 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 35.6% (90 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 34.4% (61 tests, 2023 data)2003
First registered around 2009First registered around 2008First registered around 2007First registered around 2006
Mk1 variants compared

C2 Mk1 variants built around 2008

The fail rate for each C2 Mk1 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • C233.5%1,773 tests

Diesel

  • C233.1%260 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Citroen C2 models of this age

This list covers every Citroen C2 built around 2008, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk1 on its own.

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 tests

Looking at a Citroen C2 Mk1?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2008 (17 years old), the Citroen C2 Mk1 (2003-2009) 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.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 11,099 MOT tests on Citroen C2 models first registered between 2003-2009. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.