Used car guide

2018 Citroen C3 Aircross: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Citroen C3 Aircrosss, from 9,532 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

9,532MOT tests in 2025
78%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
6,200typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Citroen C3 Aircrosss than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Brake discs2.3× usual
    Citroen C3 Aircross
    25.1% All 2018 cars
    10.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.6% of all 2018 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 system8.7× usual
    Citroen C3 Aircross
    9.6% All 2018 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.2% of all 2018 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints8× usual
    Citroen C3 Aircross
    8.8% All 2018 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 0.6% of all 2018 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.

  • Braking performance2.1× usual
    Citroen C3 Aircross
    2.9% All 2018 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.5% of all 2018 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 2018 Citroen C3 Aircross MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    10% 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
    9% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

Looking at a Citroen C3 Aircross?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20226,531Tyres 22%
20214,355Tyres 25%
20204,545Brakes 28%
20199,676Brakes 30%
2017922Tyres 30%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Citroen C3 Aircrosss registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score