Used car guide

2010 Citroen C3 Picasso: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2010 Citroen C3 Picassos, from 138 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 138 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

138MOT tests in 2025
53%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%)
6,400typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2010 Citroen C3 Picassos than on all cars registered in 2010.

  • Brake discs2.3× usual
    Citroen C3 Picasso
    34.1% All 2010 cars
    14.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 1.1% of all 2010 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 2010 Citroen C3 Picasso MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    48% 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.

  • Brakes
    45% 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
    43% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    41% 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
    21% 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
    14% 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
20173,241Tyres 31%
20162,005Tyres 33%
2015276Tyres 36%
2014228Tyres 39%
2013200Brakes 42%
2012149Tyres 38%
2011120Suspension 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2010 Citroen C3 Picassos registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score