CITROEN C3 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 7,031 MOT tests from 609 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 C3 has the same fault.

CITROEN C3's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 521/999. The score was calculated from the average of every CITROEN C3 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 C3.

CITROEN C3 (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	787/999Very good	80,858 miles	6,796 vehicles
N/A	N/A	776/999Very good	79,920 miles	8,164 vehicles
N/A	N/A	630/999Good	74,919 miles	2,765 vehicles
N/A	N/A	597/999Above average	81,521 miles	4,131 vehicles
N/A	N/A	570/999Above average	89,115 miles	5,740 vehicles
N/A	N/A	540/999Above average	71,023 miles	4,666 vehicles
N/A	N/A	526/999Above average	78,279 miles	6,525 vehicles
N/A	N/A	509/999Above average	84,633 miles	4,095 vehicles
N/A	N/A	452/999Average	77,070 miles	6,369 vehicles
N/A	N/A	438/999Average	87,858 miles	2,913 vehicles
N/A	N/A	409/999Average	91,881 miles	7,090 vehicles
N/A	N/A	404/999Average	90,050 miles	6,224 vehicles
N/A	N/A	404/999Average	78,130 miles	1,901 vehicles
N/A	N/A	391/999Fair	79,803 miles	2,150 vehicles
N/A	N/A	389/999Fair	79,458 miles	1,990 vehicles

How reliable is the CITROEN C3?

Based on 7,031 MOT tests from 609 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

609

MOT tests

7,031

Pass rate

75.4%

Median mileage

66,442 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every CITROEN C3 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 701 out of 999.

Common CITROEN C3 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 1,353 advisory comments and 66 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))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 383 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))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 271 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Suspension arm issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 241 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn, corroded, or damaged suspension arm or its pin.

What to inspect

Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM PIN OR BUSH WORN BUT NOT RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 165 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 coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 159 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 lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 154 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 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))

Exhaust

VehicleScore MOT data includes 97 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record exhaust leaks, insecurity, or other exhaust defects found at inspection.

What to inspect

Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.

Example MOT wording: REAR EXHAUST MOUNTING DEFECTIVE (6.1.2 (A))

CITROEN C3 MOT reliability by year

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

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2024	15	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	24	25	92%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2022	14	25	88%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2021	21	67	92.5%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2020	28	131	84%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2019	50	302	81.8%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2018	55	378	82.8%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2017	63	552	80.1%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2016	22	214	77.6%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015	38	436	75.5%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2014	33	422	76.8%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2013	31	452	71.5%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2012	38	601	74%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2011	33	564	71.1%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2010	44	819	73.4%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2009	19	403	69.2%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2008	11	233	70.4%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2007	17	371	74.1%	Tyre wear, Lamp and bulb faults
2006	11	242	76%	Tyre wear, Indicator faults
2005	9	228	71.5%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2004	11	261	74.7%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2003	7	176	72.2%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues

What to check when buying a used CITROEN C3

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.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Suspension arm issues. Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Exhaust. Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.

Buying a CITROEN C3?

Common problems tell you what can affect CITROEN C3s 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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