Used car guide

2012 Citroen C3: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Citroen C3s, from 14,175 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

14,175MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
6,000typical miles a year
3×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Citroen C3s than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Exhaust system3× usual
    Citroen C3
    16.6% All 2012 cars
    5.5%
    Rough price £100–£500

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

  • Brake discs1.5× usual
    Citroen C3
    21.4% All 2012 cars
    14.2%
    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.

  • Track rod end2.4× usual
    Citroen C3
    11.8% All 2012 cars
    4.9%
    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.

  • Individual direction indicators3× usual
    Citroen C3
    9.1% All 2012 cars
    3%
    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.

  • Number plate lights1.8× usual
    Citroen C3
    12.8% All 2012 cars
    7.3%
    Rough price £5–£40

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

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 0.8% here, against 5.5% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Citroen C3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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
    37% 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.

  • Brakes
    31% 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
    11% 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%
201114,369Suspension 46%
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 2012 Citroen C3s registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score