Used car guide · 2005–2014

Citroen C1 Mk1: best and worst years, and what goes wrong

How each year of the Citroen C1 Mk1 did at the MOTs done during 2023–2025, compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 304,618 MOT tests.

2012best year: 67% pass first time, 3 points above all 2012 cars
2005weakest year: 52% pass first time, 5 points below all 2005 cars
Anti-roll bar link bushesthe weak spot that shows up in 9 different years

Which Citroen C1 Mk1 years are best and worst at their MOT?

First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Citroen C1 Mk1, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.

40%70%100%2005: 52% pass first time (all 2005 cars: 57%) 52% 20052006: 52% pass first time (all 2006 cars: 56%) 52% 20062007: 54% pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%) 54% 20072008: 53% pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%) 53% 20082009: 57% pass first time (all 2009 cars: 59%) 57% 20092010: 61% pass first time (all 2010 cars: 60%) 61% 20102011: 62% pass first time (all 2011 cars: 62%) 62% 20112012: 67% pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%) 67% 20122013: 70% pass first time (all 2013 cars: 67%) 70% 20132014: 75% pass first time (all 2014 cars: 70%) 75% 2014*
This model, first-time pass rate All cars registered that year · * changeover year: some cars are the previous or next generation
YearPass first timeAll cars that yearStands outMOT tests
200552%57% -5Anti-roll bar link bushes 8.1× usual2,121
200652%56% -4Anti-roll bar link bushes 11.5× usual13,655
200754%57% -3Rigid brake pipes 2.2× usual21,584
200853%57% -4Rigid brake pipes 2.6× usual30,023
200957%59% -2Rigid brake pipes 3.5× usual35,119
201061%60% +1Rigid brake pipes 3.9× usual38,679
201162%62% +0Rigid brake pipes 4.1× usual40,719
201267%64% +3Rigid brake pipes 4.8× usual40,943
201370%67% +3Rigid brake pipes 3.8× usual41,440
2014*75%70% +5Anti-roll bar link bushes 24.8× usual40,335

Common Citroen C1 Mk1 MOT failures, year after year

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year of this generation. Repeat findings like these are much less likely to be chance.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushesup to 24× usual

    Stands out in 9 years: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Rigid brake pipesup to 4.8× usual

    Stands out in 8 years: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006.

    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.

  • Braking performanceup to 2.9× usual

    Stands out in 7 years: 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005.

    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.

  • Exhaust systemup to 1.8× usual

    Stands out in 7 years: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006.

    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.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountingsup to 2.4× usual

    Stands out in 4 years: 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

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

  • Wheelsup to 3.4× usual

    Stands out in 3 years: 2013, 2012, 2009.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

What usually goes wrong with the Citroen C1 Mk1?

From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.

  • Squeaking or failing clutch

    A squeak from underneath as you let the clutch out, with a stiff gear change, points to a worn clutch.

    Check: Listen as you pull away, and try every gear.

    If it needs doing: Clutch replacement, about £250–£600. ClickMechanic

    Source: Haynes: Toyota Aygo Mk1 common problems

  • Gear cable that can snap

    One of the gear cables can fail suddenly, leaving no gears at all.

    Check: Make sure every gear goes in cleanly, including reverse.

    Source: Haynes: Toyota Aygo Mk1 common problems

  • Heavy steering

    Heavy steering can mean a failing power steering control unit, which is replaced as a whole.

    Check: Turn the wheel at a standstill and at low speed: it should feel light.

    Source: Haynes: Toyota Aygo Mk1 common problems

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score

Looking at a Citroen C1?

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