Citroen C3: what fails at MOT
248,000 MOT tests on the Citroen C3 in 2024, counted. 34.1% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
34.1% of Citroen C3 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 27.3%, so the C3 does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (12.1% of tests), suspension (7.4% of tests) and body and structure (5.5% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics, body and structure 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 | 10,959 | 9.1% | 10.9% | 20,000 13,300 to 28,900 |
| 2020 | 12,341 | 10.3% | 11.5% | 24,600 16,900 to 34,700 |
| 2019 | 18,822 | 15.1% | 13.4% | 31,400 22,800 to 42,000 |
| 2018 | 22,544 | 19.2% | 15.6% | 38,900 28,200 to 51,300 |
| 2017 | 20,918 | 24.4% | 18.2% | 45,400 33,400 to 59,200 |
| 2016 | 11,244 | 30.1% | 21.3% | 44,900 31,100 to 61,000 |
| 2015 | 15,304 | 32.7% | 24.4% | 52,300 36,800 to 70,100 |
| 2014 | 17,073 | 35.4% | 27.7% | 58,100 41,800 to 77,400 |
| 2013 | 16,738 | 40.4% | 30.6% | 67,600 49,300 to 88,400 |
| 2012 | 18,454 | 44.2% | 33.4% | 73,400 55,300 to 94,500 |
| 2011 | 18,870 | 46.7% | 36.1% | 82,800 62,400 to 105,000 |
| 2010 | 23,018 | 48.1% | 38.6% | 88,900 67,400 to 112,400 |
| 2009 | 12,271 | 49.4% | 39.8% | 87,400 65,500 to 110,300 |
| 2008 | 6,344 | 48.6% | 41.5% | 76,700 57,300 to 97,400 |
| 2007 | 7,117 | 49.9% | 41.5% | 78,900 58,800 to 99,500 |
| 2006 | 6,481 | 49.4% | 42.4% | 78,000 58,600 to 100,200 |
| 2005 | 5,390 | 51.6% | 42.2% | 80,900 60,100 to 103,300 |
| 2004 | 4,511 | 51.1% | 42.3% | 78,900 60,000 to 101,200 |
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 C3 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | C3 | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics More than most | 12.1% | 7.6% |
| Suspension | 7.4% | 6.1% |
| Body and structure More than most | 5.5% | 2.3% |
| Tyres | 4.8% | 4.3% |
| Brakes | 4.5% | 4.5% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.8% | 3.0% |
| Exhaust and emissions More than most | 2.9% | 2.1% |
| Steering More than most | 2.3% | 1.3% |
The parts that fail most
- Brake light3.4%
- Tyre3.0%
- Headlamp aim3.0%
- Driveshaft joint2.9%
- Headlamp2.9%
- Side light2.8%
- Ball joint2.4%
- Exhaust system2.3%
- Coil spring2.3%
- Washers2.3%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Brake light: not working3.2%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.8%
- Side light: not working2.7%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.3%
- Ball joint: excessively worn2.2%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.2%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.9%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play1.9%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.6%
- Exhaust system: system insecure1.4%
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 edge13.3%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened10.1%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing8.6%
- Exhaust system: mounting defective5.6%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.0%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive4.8%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.1%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively3.1%
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
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
- “Has it ever failed on emissions or an exhaust leak, and what was done about it?”
- “Is there any play, knocking or stiffness in the steering?”
Check a Citroen C3's own MOT record
Looking at a C3? 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.