Used car guide

2022 Citroen C3: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2022 Citroen C3s, from 7,269 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

7,269MOT tests in 2025
92%pass first time (all 2022 cars: 89%)
6,500typical miles a year
3.2×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2022 Citroen C3s than on all cars registered in 2022.

  • Brake discs3.2× usual
    Citroen C3
    14.7% All 2022 cars
    4.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.2% of all 2022 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.

By area

The share of 2022 Citroen C3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    17% 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
    17% 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
    5% 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
    2% 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
    2% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20218,281Tyres 22%
20207,848Tyres 29%
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 2022 Citroen C3s registered in 2022. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score