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Citroen C3 reliability by build year

Coverage 2002-present4 named generationssuperminiHatchbackDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

Citroen C3 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Citroen C3 models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Citroen C3 by number plate

Key figure

21% of MOT tests on Citroen C3 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 C3 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Citroen C3'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.

Exhaust

Worth checking

Listen for blow noises from a cold start; check for rust and leaks at the manifold and cat connections.

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 C3's generation

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

C3 Mk4

Mk4 (2024-present)

PETROLDIESEL
Too new for MOT figures: first MOTs due from 2027View details →
C3 Mk3

Mk3 (2016-2023)

Poor
PETROLDIESEL

21.0% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

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

From 19,889 MOT tests at this ageView details →
C3 Mk2

Mk2 (2009-2015)

Poor
PETROLDIESEL

27.1% fail rate, built around 2015 (10 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 22.8%)

From 17,489 MOT tests at this ageView details →
C3 Mk1

Mk1 (2002-2008)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

34.6% 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 6,036 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 C3.

See every build year for the Citroen C3

Side-by-side

Citroen C3 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
Mk3 (2016-2023)
Poor
Poor21.0%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 19,889 MOT tests at this age
Mk2 (2009-2015)
Poor
Poor27.1%built around 2015 (10 years old)from 17,489 MOT tests at this age
Mk1 (2002-2008)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings34.6%built around 2008 (17 years old)from 6,036 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the C3, 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 C3 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Citroen C3 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
8,7818.1%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
9,52710.4%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
10,99913.6%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
17,39717.0%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
19,88921.0%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
16,21522.9%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
13,81425.3%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
17,48927.1%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
19,27728.8%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
19,09130.7%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
20,32931.9%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
23,29232.9%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
19,99033.8%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
7,42234.7%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
6,03634.6%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
5,66233.9%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
4,86834.2%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
3,94034.8%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
3,18435.8%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
2,15635.9%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
36933.6%

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 22 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Citroen C3 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

3rd of 7

3rd lowest fail rate of 7 Citroen models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against other hatchbacks

66th of 84

66th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against the UK average

21.0%

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

Fails more 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 C3 models

These issues come from 7-year-old Citroen C3 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 worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    16.9%
    Advisory: 4,549Fail: 394 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    15.5%
    Advisory: 4,482Fail: 281 (6% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    12.1%
    Advisory: 3,118Fail: 62 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    11.9%
    Advisory: 2,215Fail: 410 (16% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

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

    10.5%
    Advisory: 2,779Fail: 490 (15% of the times it was found)

Based on 19,889 MOT tests on 7-year-old Citroen C3 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 C3 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 + Tyres28%
  2. Emissions & exhaust + Tyres20%
  3. Lighting + Tyres18%
  4. Suspension + Tyres17%

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

Across 6,780 MOT tests on Citroen C3 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

93%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

83 recalls in all

69 of the 83 Citroen C3 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 13 Critical
  • 56 more

Top concerns

  • Citroen fuel pipe
  • Left hand curtain airbag may not be to specification
  • Right hand curtain airbag 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%

    Lower fail rate: 14.2%, against 21.0% for the Citroen C3, both built around 2018.

    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

    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%

    Lower fail rate: 13.9%, against 21.0% for the Citroen C3, both built around 2018.

    5,662 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Toyota Aygo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.2%
    Dangerous
    4.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    Lower fail rate: 13.0%, against 21.0% for the Citroen C3, both built around 2018.

    25,028 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Skoda Citigo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.6%
    Dangerous
    3.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.2%

    Lower fail rate: 15.3%, against 21.0% for the Citroen C3, both built around 2018.

    6,553 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 C3 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. It has the 3rd lowest fail rate of 7 Citroen models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 19,889 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 C3 ever sold: 249,727 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 19,889 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.