Used car guide

2016 Citroen C3: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Citroen C3s, from 8,792 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

8,792MOT tests in 2025
67%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
5,600typical miles a year
6.4×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Citroen C3s than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Exhaust system6.4× usual
    Citroen C3
    12.7% All 2016 cars
    2%
    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
    18.7% All 2016 cars
    12.3%
    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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.8× usual
    Citroen C3
    7.2% All 2016 cars
    1.9%
    Rough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Individual direction indicators6.5× usual
    Citroen C3
    3.9% All 2016 cars
    0.6%
    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 lights2× usual
    Citroen C3
    6.4% All 2016 cars
    3.2%
    Rough price £5–£40

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

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 1.8% here, against 4.3% of all 2016 cars.

By area

The share of 2016 Citroen C3 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
    24% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    22% 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
    21% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    14% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    7% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
201913,405Tyres 33%
201815,440Tyres 32%
201715,672Tyres 30%
201512,056Tyres 32%
201413,651Tyres 33%
201313,119Tyres 35%
201214,175Suspension 40%
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 2016 Citroen C3s registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score