Used car guide

2018 Citroen C1: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Citroen C1s, from 7,178 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

7,178MOT tests in 2025
84%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
4,700typical miles a year
1.6×the usual rate for tyre condition

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Citroen C1s than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Tyre condition1.6× usual
    Citroen C1
    22.9% All 2018 cars
    13.9%
    Rough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes26.5× usual
    Citroen C1
    5.3% All 2018 cars
    0.2%
    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.

  • Wipers1.6× usual
    Citroen C1
    4.1% All 2018 cars
    2.5%
    Rough price £15–£60

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Exhaust system2.2× usual
    Citroen C1
    2.4% All 2018 cars
    1.1%
    Rough price £100–£500

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

  • Stop lamp2.3× usual
    Citroen C1
    2.1% All 2018 cars
    0.9%
    Rough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

By area

The share of 2018 Citroen C1 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Brakes
    19% 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
    11% 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
    10% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    3% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20195,105Tyres 31%
20179,095Tyres 33%
201618,199Tyres 32%
201517,832Tyres 33%
201413,482Brakes 32%
201313,730Brakes 36%
201213,479Brakes 42%
201113,226Brakes 43%
201012,400Brakes 46%
200911,014Brakes 48%
20088,934Brakes 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Citroen C1s registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score