Used car guide

2020 Citroen C3: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2020 Citroen C3s, from 7,848 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

7,848MOT tests in 2025
87%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%)
6,300typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2020 Citroen C3s than on all cars registered in 2020.

  • Brake discs1.8× usual
    Citroen C3
    16.6% All 2020 cars
    9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.4% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    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 system15.7× usual
    Citroen C3
    4.7% All 2020 cars
    0.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.1% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

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

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.2× usual
    Citroen C3
    3.9% All 2020 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.3% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

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

By area

The share of 2020 Citroen C3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    29% 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
    19% 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
    9% 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
    5% 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
    5% 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.

  • 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
20227,269Tyres 17%
20218,281Tyres 22%
201913,580Tyres 33%
201815,441Tyres 32%
201715,672Tyres 30%
20168,793Tyres 33%
201512,056Tyres 32%
201413,651Tyres 33%
201313,120Tyres 35%
201214,175Suspension 40%
201114,373Suspension 46%
201016,653Suspension 49%
20098,210Suspension 46%
20084,070Suspension 46%
20074,282Lights and electrics 47%
20063,692Lights and electrics 47%
20053,110Suspension 50%
20042,441Lights and electrics 53%
20031,927Suspension 50%
2002677Lights and electrics 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2020 Citroen C3s registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score