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CITROEN C1 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 12,592 MOT tests from 875 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every CITROEN C1 has the same fault.

CITROEN C1's have a very good reliability rating of 654/999. The score was calculated from the average of every CITROEN C1 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the CITROEN C1.

CITROEN C1 side viewCITROEN C1 (example)

Check a Citroen C1 before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

Citroen C1 side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
N/AN/A898/999Excellent178,067 miles1,626 vehicles
N/AN/A826/999Excellent152,562 miles3,838 vehicles
N/AN/A740/999Very good141,104 miles7,271 vehicles
N/AN/A681/999Good108,430 miles12,578 vehicles
N/AN/A608/999Good75,343 miles11,424 vehicles
N/AN/A550/999Above average77,165 miles7,712 vehicles
N/AN/A476/999Average73,105 miles5,651 vehicles
N/AN/A451/999Average71,148 miles5,219 vehicles

How reliable is the CITROEN C1?

Based on 12,592 MOT tests from 875 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

875

MOT tests

12,592

Pass rate

77.3%

Median mileage

75,906 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every CITROEN C1 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 614 out of 999.

Common CITROEN C1 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 2,463 advisory comments and 298 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 1,107 advisory comments and 65 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR BRAKE PIPE CORRODED, COVERED IN GREASE OR OTHER MATERIAL (1.1.11 (C))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 940 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Anti-roll bar issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 606 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record wear or damage in the anti-roll bar, its links, or its bushes.

What to inspect

Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT ANTI-ROLL BAR LINKAGE PIN OR BUSH WORN BUT NOT RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 314 advisory comments and 70 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore MOT data includes 131 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: FRONT WINDSCREEN WIPER DOES NOT CLEAR THE WINDSCREEN EFFECTIVELY (3.4 (B) (II))

Lambda sensor issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 110 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lambda sensor reading or defect noted at the test.

What to inspect

Ask whether a sensor or emissions fault has been diagnosed since the test.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST LAMBDA READING AFTER 2ND FAST IDLE OUTSIDE SPECIFIED LIMITS (8.2.1.2 (C))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 80 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

CITROEN C1 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
202192592%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2020104687%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2019126584.6%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20182013185.5%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20173831883.6%Tyre wear, Anti-roll bar issues
20167875481.2%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20159198082.4%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
201482101877.6%Tyre wear, Anti-roll bar issues
201386121176.5%Tyre wear, Corrosion
201280118979.1%Tyre wear, Corrosion
201194156076%Tyre wear, Corrosion
201079135677.4%Tyre wear, Corrosion
200968132175.2%Tyre wear, Corrosion
200852108072.6%Tyre wear, Corrosion
20073983376.8%Tyre wear, Corrosion
20061538169.8%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear

What to check when buying a used CITROEN C1

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Anti-roll bar issues. Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

  • Lambda sensor issues. Ask whether a sensor or emissions fault has been diagnosed since the test.

  • Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Buying a CITROEN C1?

Common problems tell you what can affect CITROEN C1s generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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