Citroen C1: what fails at MOT
202,000 MOT tests on the Citroen C1 in 2024, counted. 30.2% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
30.2% of Citroen C1 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 29.3%, so the C1 is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (9.8% of tests), brakes (7.3% of tests) and tyres (4.8% of tests). It fails on brakes and exhaust and emissions more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,774 | 7.1% | 10.9% | 13,300 8,500 to 20,100 |
| 2020 | 4,295 | 10.7% | 11.5% | 17,400 11,200 to 25,200 |
| 2019 | 6,071 | 11.5% | 13.4% | 22,600 14,600 to 32,300 |
| 2018 | 8,505 | 14.8% | 15.6% | 28,300 18,600 to 39,800 |
| 2017 | 11,511 | 19.1% | 18.2% | 35,100 24,600 to 47,700 |
| 2016 | 22,711 | 21.9% | 21.3% | 43,300 31,800 to 57,200 |
| 2015 | 21,446 | 22.7% | 24.4% | 49,100 35,800 to 63,800 |
| 2014 | 15,946 | 25.2% | 27.7% | 53,600 39,200 to 69,900 |
| 2013 | 16,192 | 31.2% | 30.6% | 59,800 44,400 to 78,200 |
| 2012 | 16,218 | 33.4% | 33.4% | 66,700 49,600 to 84,600 |
| 2011 | 16,162 | 38.4% | 36.1% | 72,200 54,600 to 91,700 |
| 2010 | 15,330 | 38.5% | 38.6% | 76,500 58,100 to 96,400 |
| 2009 | 14,014 | 44.2% | 39.8% | 82,700 62,100 to 104,000 |
| 2008 | 12,522 | 47.0% | 41.5% | 88,800 68,500 to 109,200 |
| 2007 | 9,273 | 47.5% | 41.5% | 90,300 70,100 to 110,800 |
| 2006 | 5,664 | 49.0% | 42.4% | 95,100 74,900 to 116,600 |
| 2005 | 849 | 50.6% | 42.2% | 94,400 74,400 to 118,200 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Citroen C1 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | C1 | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 9.8% | 8.3% |
| Brakes More than most | 7.3% | 4.9% |
| Tyres | 4.8% | 4.5% |
| Suspension Less than most | 4.6% | 6.9% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.5% | 3.2% |
| Exhaust and emissions More than most | 3.4% | 2.3% |
| Body and structure | 2.9% | 2.5% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.6% | 0.7% |
The parts that fail most
- Headlamp aim3.2%
- Wheel3.0%
- Footbrake3.0%
- Side light2.7%
- Tyre tread2.1%
- Wipers2.0%
- Exhaust emissions1.9%
- Exhaust system1.8%
- Headlamp1.7%
- Brake pipes1.6%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working2.5%
- Footbrake: excessively binding2.5%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.0%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.0%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.7%
- Brake pipes: excessively corroded1.5%
- Exhaust emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits1.3%
- Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases1.2%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.2%
- Brake light: not working1.1%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge12.4%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing10.6%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material9.0%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.8%
- Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.7%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.2%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.8%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened3.1%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Has it ever failed on emissions or an exhaust leak, and what was done about it?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
Check a Citroen C1's own MOT record
Looking at a C1? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.