Used car guide

2002 Citroen C3: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 Citroen C3s, from 677 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

677MOT tests in 2025

49%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)

3,700typical miles a year

2.2×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 Citroen C3s than on all cars registered in 2002.

Headlights2.2× usual

Citroen C3
23.6% All 2002 cars
10.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 6.8%, against 4% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.
Side repeaters7.7× usual

Citroen C3
11.5% All 2002 cars
1.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 0.8% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
Individual direction indicators3.2× usual

Citroen C3
10.5% All 2002 cars
3.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.4% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
Headlight aim1.9× usual

Citroen C3
11.4% All 2002 cars
6.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 11.4%, against 6.1% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.
Link ball joint covers3.3× usual

Citroen C3
6.5% All 2002 cars
2%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.1% of all 2002 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 2002 Citroen C3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Lights and electrics

52% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

48% 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

40% 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.
Tyres

39% 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

15% 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 C3?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2022	7,269	Tyres 17%
2021	8,281	Tyres 22%
2020	7,848	Tyres 29%
2019	13,580	Tyres 33%
2018	15,441	Tyres 32%
2017	15,672	Tyres 30%
2016	8,793	Tyres 33%
2015	12,056	Tyres 32%
2014	13,651	Tyres 33%
2013	13,120	Tyres 35%
2012	14,175	Suspension 40%
2011	14,373	Suspension 46%
2010	16,653	Suspension 49%
2009	8,210	Suspension 46%
2008	4,070	Suspension 46%
2007	4,282	Lights and electrics 47%
2006	3,692	Lights and electrics 47%
2005	3,110	Suspension 50%
2004	2,441	Lights and electrics 53%
2003	1,927	Suspension 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 Citroen C3s registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score