Used car guide

2009 Citroen C1: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Citroen C1s, from 11,014 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

11,014MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
5,300typical miles a year
3.3×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Citroen C1s than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Rigid brake pipes3.3× usual
    Citroen C1
    25.1% All 2009 cars
    7.5%
    Rough price £100–£400

    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.

  • Braking performance2.9× usual
    Citroen C1
    18.3% All 2009 cars
    6.4%
    Rough price £100–£350

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes13.1× usual
    Citroen C1
    10.5% All 2009 cars
    0.8%
    Rough price £50–£150

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Exhaust system1.6× usual
    Citroen C1
    13.3% All 2009 cars
    8.4%
    Rough price £100–£500

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.3× usual
    Citroen C1
    7.2% All 2009 cars
    3.1%
    Rough price £80–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 2% here, against 7.5% of all 2009 cars. Engine oil leaks: 4.8% here, against 10.4% of all 2009 cars.

By area

The share of 2009 Citroen C1 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    48% 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.

  • Suspension
    40% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    39% 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
    35% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    15% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20195,105Tyres 31%
20187,178Tyres 33%
20179,095Tyres 33%
201618,199Tyres 32%
201517,832Tyres 33%
201413,482Brakes 32%
201313,730Brakes 36%
201213,479Brakes 42%
201113,226Brakes 43%
201012,400Brakes 46%
20088,934Brakes 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Citroen C1s registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score