Citroen C3 MOT pass rate
In 2023, the Citroen C3 passed 64.5% of its first MOT tests, from 194,087 tests in Great Britain. That is 6.9 points below the 71.4% average for all cars, taxis and light vans.
Most common Citroen C3 MOT failures
The area that failed most often was lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, affecting 17.1% of tests. The red line shows the average for all cars.
- Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 17.1% vs 11.3%
- Suspension 11.0% vs 8.9%
- Body, chassis, structure 7.7% vs 3.4%
- Tyres 6.7% vs 6.3%
- Brakes 6.4% vs 6.8%
- Visibility 6.1% vs 4.8%
- Noise, emissions and leaks 3.7% vs 3.1%
- Steering 3.0% vs 1.8%
- Stop lamp 4.7% vs 2.2%
- Headlamp aim 4.3% vs 3.3%
- Headlamp 4.2% vs 2.2%
- Washers 3.9% vs 2.5%
- Joints 3.9% vs 1.4%
- Coil spring 3.9% vs 2.6%
- Position lamp 3.8% vs 2.8%
- Tyres: condition 3.8% vs 3.7%
Top reasons for failure
| Reason for failure | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Stop lamp: Not working | 4.3% |
| Coil spring: Fractured or broken | 3.8% |
| Joints: Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 3.8% |
| Position lamp: Not working | 3.7% |
| Headlamp: Not working on dipped beam | 3.2% |
| Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | 2.9% |
| Ball joint excessively worn | 2.6% |
| Track rod end: Ball joint has excessive play | 2.4% |
| Washers: Not working | 2.3% |
| Wipers: Does not clear the windscreen effectively | 2.1% |
Citroen C3 pass rate by age
The pass rate changes with age: 86.6% for cars aged 3 to 5 years and 50.8% for those aged 15 years or more. Older cars usually fail more often because parts like suspension, brakes and exhausts wear with time and mileage.
- 3 to 5 years 86.6% vs 71.4%
- 6 to 9 years 72.2% vs 71.4%
- 10 to 14 years 55.1% vs 71.4%
- 15 years or more 50.8% vs 71.4%
Pass rate by fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 122,752 | 68.6% |
| Diesel | 71,327 | 57.3% |
Most common Citroen C3 advisories
Advisories do not fail the test, but they often become failures by the next MOT. These were noted most often:
- Tread depth 18.3%
- Brake discs 17.5%
- Tyres: condition 12.4%
- Exhaust system 9.7%
- Engine oil leaks 6.8%
- Vehicle 6.2%
- Pins and bushes 6.1%
- Brake pads 5.6%
See MOT advisories explained for what to do about them.
How we worked this out
These figures come from DVSA's anonymised MOT testing data for 2023, covering every class 4 MOT test in Great Britain (cars, taxis and light vans). We count normal tests only, not retests. A test counts as a first-time pass if the vehicle passed without any repairs. Tests where defects were fixed at the test centre within an hour (PRS) count as fails, in line with DVSA's own statistics. Failure areas show the share of tests with at least one failure in that area, so the figures add up to more than the fail rate.
Other Citroen models
Similar popular models
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Citroen C3?
In 2023, 64.5% of Citroen C3 MOT tests were passed first time, from 194,087 tests in Great Britain. The average for all cars, taxis and light vans was 71.4%.
What is the most common MOT failure on the Citroen C3?
The most common failure area was lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, which caused 17.1% of tests to fail. Next came suspension (11.0%) and body, chassis, structure (7.7%).
Is the Citroen C3 reliable at its MOT?
Its first-time pass rate of 64.5% is 6.9 points below the average and ranks 83 of the 100 most-tested models. Age and mileage matter more than the model, so always check the history of the car you are buying.
How do I check a Citroen C3's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT history check. You will see every test, the mileage at each test and all failures and advisories.