Used car guide

2008 Citroen C-Crosser: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Citroen C-Crossers, from 444 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 444 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

444MOT tests in 2025

52%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)

7,800typical miles a year

2.8×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Citroen C-Crossers than on all cars registered in 2008.

Rigid brake pipes2.8× usual

Citroen C-Crosser
27.3% All 2008 cars
9.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 1.5% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.
Sub-frame2.7× usual

Citroen C-Crosser
21.2% All 2008 cars
7.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.
Suspension arm3.7× usual

Citroen C-Crosser
13.7% All 2008 cars
3.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Ball joint2.5× usual

Citroen C-Crosser
16.2% All 2008 cars
6.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 9.9%, against 3.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Ball joint dust cover2.9× usual

Citroen C-Crosser
13.7% All 2008 cars
4.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

By area

The share of 2008 Citroen C-Crosser MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

65% of testsRough price £120–£400

At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
Brakes

50% of testsRough price £150–£350

At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
Lights and electrics

41% of testsRough price £10–£80

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
Tyres

32% of testsRough price £70–£150

At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
Oil and fluid leaks

20% of testsRough price £80–£600

At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.
Wipers, windscreen and mirrors

10% of testsRough price £15–£250

At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Citroen C-Crosser?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2010	390	Suspension 62%
2009	427	Suspension 66%
2007	137	Suspension 70%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Citroen C-Crossers registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score