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Citroen C3 Mk1 (2002-2008) reliability

At a glance

Citroen C3 Mk1 built around 2008: about average at the MOT

Citroen C3 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 C3 Mk1?

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

Key figure

35% of MOT tests on Citroen C3 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 C3 Mk1 models built around 2008 involves the tyres.

Citroen C3 Mk1
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2002-2008HatchbackDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 28,538 tests of C3 models registered 2002-2008.

About 1 in 10 C3 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 6,036 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 C3 Mk1 MOTs (8%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2008 (17 years old).

Based on 6,036 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
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
2,32334.7%
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.

How the C3 Mk1 compares

At each age below, see how the C3 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
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
2,32334.7%
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.

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.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks 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 C3 Mk1.

  1. 1

    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 34.6% for the Citroen C3 Mk1, both built around 2008.

    1,990 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  2. 2

    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 34.6% for the Citroen C3 Mk1, both built around 2008.

    17,936 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  3. 3

    Hyundai Getz

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    32.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.4%
    Dangerous
    8.2%

    No clear edge over the Citroen C3 Mk1 on these figures.

    5,004 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  4. 4

    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%

    Lower fail rate: 31.7%, against 34.6% for the Citroen C3 Mk1, both built around 2008.

    3,187 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.

How many are still registered

93%of all Citroen C3 cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

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

15 of the 83 C3 Mk1 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 13 more

Top concerns

  • Water ingress may cause anti lock brake control unit to malfunction
  • Passenger airbag may not completely deploy
  • Citroen C3 DS3 driver and passenger airbag (Takata)

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

What has gone wrong on C3 Mk1 cars built around 2008

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 541 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
61%
Drivetrain
59%
Emissions
35%
Bodywork
8%
Steering
5%

Wear items

Lighting
68%
Tyres
57%
Brakes
44%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 21% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

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

Engine sizes across all petrol C3 tests (not specific to Mk1).

1.0 to 1.4 litres34.2%3,385 tests1.4 to 2.0 litres33.3%982 tests
How C3 Mk1 cars have aged

How C3 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%131517192123Age at MOTBuilt around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 32.8% (6,869 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 32.7% (6,021 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 33.8% (5,202 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 34.3% (4,341 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 34.5% (3,444 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 32.5% (7,757 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 32.6% (6,596 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 33.7% (5,524 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 33.7% (4,402 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 34.1% (3,491 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 32.5% (7,336 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 32.1% (5,975 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 33.4% (4,947 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 33.6% (3,890 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 33.7% (3,000 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 34.4% (7,075 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 34.4% (5,592 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 34.3% (4,432 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 35.0% (3,418 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 35.2% (2,510 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 35.9% (6,260 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 34.2% (4,712 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 34.9% (3,657 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 34.9% (2,670 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 35.9% (2,008 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 37.2% (5,505 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 35.4% (3,927 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 35.6% (2,992 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 35.7% (2,168 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 35.4% (1,557 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 35.0% (1,270 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 34.1% (973 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 34.6% (745 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 32.9% (501 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 33.6% (369 tests, 2025 data)2002
First registered around 2008First registered around 2007First registered around 2006First registered around 2005
How each part holds up as Mk1 cars age

How each part holds up as Mk1 cars age

The share of petrol cars built 2005-2008 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car17 years18 years19 years20 years
Suspension61%58%60%71%
Brakes44%47%45%44%
Emissions35%38%34%38%
Tyres57%52%53%54%
Lighting68%72%72%75%
Drivetrain59%26%13%12%
Bodywork8%8%10%9%
Steering5%7%5%4%
Corrosion21%17%16%21%

Based on petrol cars in the 2005-2008 build-year band, from 541 to 1,306 cars at each age.

Mk1 variants compared

C3 Mk1 variants built around 2008

The fail rate for each C3 Mk1 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • C334.0%4,367 tests

Diesel

  • C336.1%1,668 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Citroen C3 models of this age

This list covers every Citroen C3 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

    23.0%
    Advisory: 1,851Fail: 206 (10% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    21.3%
    Advisory: 1,504Fail: 498 (25% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    20.3%
    Advisory: 1,232Fail: 21 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    17.0%
    Advisory: 1,256Fail: 205 (14% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

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

    14.2%
    Advisory: 1,072Fail: 20 (2% of the times it was found)

Based on 6,036 tests

Looking at a Citroen C3 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 C3 Mk1 (2002-2008) fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 6,036 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 28,538 MOT tests on Citroen C3 models first registered between 2002-2008. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.