Used car guide · 2007–2012

Citroen C-Crosser common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Citroen C-Crosser, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 4,994 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2011 Citroen C-Crosser

Too few Citroen C-Crosser cars first registered in 2011 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Citroen C-Crosser as a whole.

34on the UK register at the end of 2025
What to check on a 2011 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

201220112010200920082007

What usually goes wrong with a Citroen C-Crosser?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Timing belt that runs in oil (PureTech petrol)

    Cars registered in 2012 · 1.0 and 1.2 PureTech petrol

    The 1.0 and 1.2 PureTech petrol engines use a timing belt that runs in the engine oil (a “wet belt”). It can break down early and shed rubber that blocks the oil supply, which can wreck the engine. Some also burn too much oil. Stellantis now covers earlier engines for belt and oil-burning problems for up to 10 years or 112,000 miles, as long as the car has been serviced on schedule.

    At the viewing: Ask for a full service history showing the right oil, and when the belt was last checked or changed. Check the oil level on the dipstick, and that no oil-pressure or engine warning light stays on.

    Source: Parkers: Stellantis wet belt compensation, and the cars at risk, Stellantis: compensation policy for earlier PureTech 1.0 and 1.2 engines (7 May 2025)

Common Citroen C-Crosser MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 3.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 3.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Sub-frame

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Suspension arm

    up to 4.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008 and 2010.

    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.

  • Ball joint

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Ball joint dust cover

    up to 3.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009 and 2010.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Citroen C-Crosser MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2010 Citroen C-Crosser did best (59% passed first time, 1 point below all 2010 cars) and the 2009 did worst (54%, 5 points below all 2009 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201059%60% -11,287
200954%59% -51,485
200853%57% -41,667
200752%57% -5555

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Citroen C-Crosser

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. When was the timing belt last checked or changed, and has it had the right oil at every service? Is the car still within Stellantis’ extended PureTech cover?
  2. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the Citroen C-Crosser as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the Citroen C-Crosser as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the Citroen C-Crosser as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Citroen C-Crosser?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score