Citroen C3 Aircross: what fails at MOT
40,000 MOT tests on the Citroen C3 Aircross in 2024, counted. 14.3% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
14.3% of Citroen C3 Aircross tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 13.5%, so the C3 Aircross is about average for its age.
It fails most often on brakes (3.1% of tests), tyres (2.9% of tests) and body and structure (2.6% of tests). It fails on brakes and body and structure 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 | 6,511 | 9.2% | 10.9% | 17,500 11,200 to 25,000 |
| 2020 | 6,466 | 9.9% | 11.5% | 23,100 15,700 to 32,300 |
| 2019 | 13,270 | 14.3% | 13.4% | 31,900 22,400 to 42,700 |
| 2018 | 12,475 | 18.7% | 15.6% | 36,700 26,500 to 48,400 |
| 2017 | 1,244 | 20.6% | 18.2% | 39,900 29,100 to 53,200 |
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 Aircross 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 Aircross | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 3.1% | 1.7% | More than most |
| Tyres | 2.9% | 3.2% | |
| Body and structure | 2.6% | 0.3% | More than most |
| Lights and electrics | 1.8% | 2.3% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 1.1% | 1.9% | Less than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 0.6% | 0.6% | |
| Suspension | 0.6% | 1.0% | |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.3% | 0.2% |
The parts that fail most
- Seat belt1.9%
- Driveshaft joint1.8%
- Brake pads1.5%
- Brake discs1.4%
- Tyre tread1.0%
- Headlamp aim0.9%
- Exhaust system0.8%
- Washers0.8%
- Footbrake0.5%
- Headlamp0.4%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.8%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
- Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn1.1%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.0%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.9%
- Exhaust system: system insecure0.6%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.6%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.5%
- Headlamp aim: too low0.5%
- Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened0.4%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened13.1%
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge10.3%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing8.2%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.3%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively3.9%
- Exhaust system: mounting defective2.8%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.7%
- Nail in tyre1.3%
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?”
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
Check a Citroen C3 Aircross's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll 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.