Used car guide

2017 Citroen C3 Aircross: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2017 Citroen C3 Aircrosss, from 922 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

922MOT tests in 2025
76%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%)
6,000typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2017 Citroen C3 Aircrosss than on all cars registered in 2017.

  • Brake discs2.1× usual
    Citroen C3 Aircross
    24.6% All 2017 cars
    11.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.7% of all 2017 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints8.3× usual
    Citroen C3 Aircross
    12.4% All 2017 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.8%, against 0.8% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    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.

  • Exhaust system7.5× usual
    Citroen C3 Aircross
    11.2% All 2017 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.4% of all 2017 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.

  • Braking performance2.2× usual
    Citroen C3 Aircross
    3.9% All 2017 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.6% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

By area

The share of 2017 Citroen C3 Aircross MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    30% 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
    29% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    13% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    12% 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
    10% 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
    7% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20226,531Tyres 22%
20214,355Tyres 25%
20204,545Brakes 28%
20199,676Brakes 30%
20189,532Brakes 29%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2017 Citroen C3 Aircrosss registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score