Used car guide

2019 Citroen C3: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2019 Citroen C3s, from 13,405 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

13,405MOT tests in 2025
81%pass first time (all 2019 cars: 84%)
6,300typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2019 Citroen C3s than on all cars registered in 2019.

  • Brake discs1.8× usual
    Citroen C3
    18.3% All 2019 cars
    9.9%
    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.

  • Exhaust system12× usual
    Citroen C3
    8.4% All 2019 cars
    0.7%
    Rough price £100–£500

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

  • Number plate lights3.9× usual
    Citroen C3
    5.4% All 2019 cars
    1.4%
    Rough price £5–£40

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

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.6× usual
    Citroen C3
    5.7% All 2019 cars
    2.2%
    Rough price £100–£300

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Headlamp2.1× usual
    Citroen C3
    2.1% All 2019 cars
    1%
    Rough price £40–£400

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

By area

The share of 2019 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
    21% 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
    14% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    9% 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.

  • Suspension
    8% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    3% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
201815,440Tyres 32%
201715,672Tyres 30%
20168,792Tyres 33%
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 2019 Citroen C3s registered in 2019. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score