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Citroen C3 years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

188,169 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2003–2022 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

Citroen C3 years with MOT pass rates below the average for vehicles first used in the same year: 2003–2019. Above it: 2021–2022. The other year can't be told apart from average.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

65.2%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 64.9% to 65.4%.

In 2025, 65.2% of the 188,169 initial MOT tests on Citroen C3 cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 70.7%. That is 5.6 points below the same-age average.

Check a specific C3

Its own MOT history, free.

Citroen C3 MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2022age 37,27819,50091.8%±0.7+3.3 ptsall: 88.5%
2021age 48,28726,60089.2%±0.7+2.0 ptsall: 87.2%
2020age 57,84831,10086.7%±0.8+0.7 ptsall: 86.0%
2019age 613,55737,80081.2%±0.7−2.3 ptsall: 83.5%
2018age 715,40145,20076.2%±0.7−4.7 ptsall: 80.9%
2017age 815,61051,30071.6%±0.8−6.6 ptsall: 78.2%
2016age 98,78550,10067.1%±1.0−7.8 ptsall: 74.9%
2015age 1012,03457,30065.3%±0.9−6.6 ptsall: 71.9%
2014age 1113,62162,80061.5%±0.9−7.1 ptsall: 68.6%
2013age 1213,09571,90058.3%±0.9−7.5 ptsall: 65.8%
2012age 1314,15477,90055.5%±0.9−8.0 ptsall: 63.5%
2011age 1414,31786,10053.5%±0.9−7.7 ptsall: 61.2%
2010age 1516,57891,20051.5%±0.8−7.8 ptsall: 59.3%
2009age 168,18988,50049.9%±1.1−8.4 ptsall: 58.3%
2008age 174,04877,60051.1%±1.6−6.1 ptsall: 57.2%
2007age 184,26377,50051.2%±1.6−6.2 ptsall: 57.4%
2006age 193,66276,50052.6%±1.7−4.4 ptsall: 57.0%
2005age 203,08779,80050.5%±1.8−7.1 ptsall: 57.6%
2004age 212,42877,20050.6%±2.0−7.2 ptsall: 57.8%
2003age 221,92780,10049.9%±2.3−8.8 ptsall: 58.7%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Does mileage matter?

Citroen C3 first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

88.2% of Citroen C3 tests under 30,000 miles passed first time, against 45.4% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 88.5% and 57.4%.

Miles at the testTestsPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles, same age and mileage
Under 30,00030,15088.2%±0.4−0.3 ptsall: 88.5%
30,000–59,99965,28972.5%±0.4−5.6 ptsall: 78.1%
60,000–89,99951,60656.4%±0.5−10.1 ptsall: 66.5%
90,000–119,99927,60248.7%±0.6−10.6 ptsall: 59.3%
120,000 or more13,46845.4%±0.9−12.0 ptsall: 57.4%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, C3 tests were about average under 30,000 miles and below average at 30,000 miles or more.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Citroen C3 tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.

Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. 54 tests (under 0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count

Common C3 problems at the MOT

Share of the 65,549 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

What to check when viewing a C3

Based on the areas where Citroen C3 MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Lights and electrics

    In 49.1% of failed C3 tests

    • Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
    • Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
    • Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.

  2. Suspension

    In 31.1% of failed C3 tests

    • Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
    • On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
    • The car should sit level when parked on flat ground.

  3. Body, chassis, structure

    In 21.2% of failed C3 tests

    • Look for rust or damage under the sills, around the wheel arches and on the floor where you can see it.
    • Open and close every door, the bonnet and the boot. They should latch properly.
    • Check the seats are secure and adjust properly.

  4. Tyres

    In 18.0% of failed C3 tests

    • Check the tread on every tyre. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread.
    • Look for cuts, bulges, and wear on only the inner or outer edge, which can point to an alignment problem.
    • Check that the spare wheel or the tyre repair kit is there.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a C3's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Citroen C3 cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Citroen C3 cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 7.9% failed on tyres, against 4.3% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 22,302 and 70,882 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory7.9%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted4.3%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 13.1% of those with a tyre advisory and 11.7% of the others.

Brakes

Of Citroen C3 cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 8.8% failed on brakes, against 3.8% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 18,645 and 74,584 cars.

  • With a brake advisory8.8%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted3.8%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 13.6% of those with a brake advisory and 11.6% of the others.

Suspension

Of Citroen C3 cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 18.0% failed on suspension, against 11.5% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 10,619 and 82,234 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory18.0%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted11.5%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 17.7% of those with a suspension advisory and 11.2% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this outAll models compared, with the data

Citroen C3 questions

Which Citroen C3 years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, these model years have below-average MOT pass rates: 2003–2019. Above average: 2021–2022. The rest can't be told apart from average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Citroen C3 reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 65.2% of initial MOT tests on Citroen C3 cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 70.7%. That is 5.6 points below average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Citroen C3 problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 49.1% of failed tests), suspension (in 31.1% of failed tests) and body, chassis, structure (in 21.2% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 10-year-old Citroen C3?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Citroen C3 cars first used in 2015, about 10 years old, had a median of 57,300 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific C3's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Citroen C3

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other Citroen models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 18 Citroen modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Citroen C3 cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count