Used car guide

2011 Citroen C3: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Citroen C3s, from 14,369 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

14,369MOT tests in 2025
53%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
6,200typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Citroen C3s than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Exhaust system2.6× usual
    Citroen C3
    16.8% All 2011 cars
    6.4%
    Rough price £100–£500

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

  • Track rod end2.6× usual
    Citroen C3
    13.6% All 2011 cars
    5.3%
    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.

  • Brake discs1.5× usual
    Citroen C3
    22.2% All 2011 cars
    14.5%
    Rough price £150–£350

    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.

  • Number plate lights1.8× usual
    Citroen C3
    14.2% All 2011 cars
    8.1%
    Rough price £5–£40

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Individual direction indicators2.7× usual
    Citroen C3
    8.3% All 2011 cars
    3.1%
    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.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 0.8% here, against 6.1% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Citroen C3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    46% 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
    38% 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
    36% 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
    33% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    18% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    13% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
201913,405Tyres 33%
201815,440Tyres 32%
201715,672Tyres 30%
20168,792Tyres 33%
201512,056Tyres 32%
201413,651Tyres 33%
201313,119Tyres 35%
201214,175Suspension 40%
201016,653Suspension 49%
20098,207Suspension 46%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Citroen C3s registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score