2021 Citroen C1: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 Citroen C1s, from 4,485 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

4,485MOT tests in 2025

90%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)

4,600typical miles a year

2×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2021 Citroen C1s than on all cars registered in 2021.

Brake discs2× usual

Citroen C1
14.4% All 2021 cars
7.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.3% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.
Suspension arm bushes and joints2× usual

Citroen C1
2.2% All 2021 cars
1.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2021 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.

By area

The share of 2021 Citroen C1 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Tyres

24% 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

18% 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

6% 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

5% 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

4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

1% of testsRough price £80–£250

At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

Clunky 2-Tronic automatic
2-Tronic / x-shift automatic
The optional 2-Tronic is an automated manual, not a true automatic. It can feel jerky and owners rate it poorly.

At the viewing: Drive it in traffic and pull away several times. Make sure you can live with how it changes gear.

Source: Auto Express: used Peugeot 108 review
Engine turns over but won't start
All engines
Some owners report the engine cranking without firing. A tired battery is the usual cause.

At the viewing: Start the car from cold yourself and watch for slow cranking.

Source: Auto Express: used Peugeot 108 review

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2020	3,729	Tyres 31%
2019	5,231	Tyres 31%
2018	7,178	Tyres 33%
2017	9,095	Tyres 33%
2016	18,199	Tyres 32%
2015	17,832	Tyres 33%
2014	13,483	Brakes 32%
2013	13,730	Brakes 36%
2012	13,479	Brakes 42%
2011	13,229	Brakes 43%
2010	12,403	Brakes 46%
2009	11,016	Brakes 48%
2008	8,936	Brakes 50%
2007	6,266	Suspension 48%
2006	3,884	Lights and electrics 51%
2005	627	Lights and electrics 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2021 Citroen C1s registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score