Used car guide · 2014–2022

Citroen C1 Mk2: best and worst years, and what goes wrong

How each year of the Citroen C1 Mk2 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 231,785 MOT tests.

2021best year: 91% pass first time, 4 points above all 2021 cars
2016weakest year: 78% pass first time, 1 points above all 2016 cars
Anti-roll bar link bushesthe weak spot that shows up in 4 different years

Which Citroen C1 Mk2 years are best and worst at their MOT?

First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Citroen C1 Mk2, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.

60%80%100%2014: 75% pass first time (all 2014 cars: 70%) 75% 2014*2015: 77% pass first time (all 2015 cars: 74%) 77% 20152016: 78% pass first time (all 2016 cars: 77%) 78% 20162017: 81% pass first time (all 2017 cars: 80%) 81% 20172018: 85% pass first time (all 2018 cars: 83%) 85% 20182019: 87% pass first time (all 2019 cars: 85%) 87% 20192020: 89% pass first time (all 2020 cars: 87%) 89% 20202021: 91% pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%) 91% 20212022: 91% pass first time (all 2022 cars: 89%) 91% 2022
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
2014*75%70% +5Anti-roll bar link bushes 24.8× usual40,335
201577%74% +3Anti-roll bar link bushes 30× usual53,257
201678%77% +1Anti-roll bar link bushes 34.5× usual53,924
201781%80% +1Tyre condition 1.5× usual27,053
201885%83% +2Tyre condition 1.6× usual21,251
201987%85% +2Brake discs 1.6× usual15,538
202089%87% +2Brake discs 2× usual11,139
202191%87% +4Brake discs 2× usual8,897
202291%89% +2Brake discs 2.5× usual391

Common Citroen C1 Mk2 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 34.5× usual

    Stands out in 4 years: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015.

    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.

  • Brake discsup to 2.5× usual

    Stands out in 4 years: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019.

    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.

  • Wheelsup to 2.9× usual

    Stands out in 3 years: 2017, 2016, 2015.

    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.

  • Wipersup to 2× usual

    Stands out in 3 years: 2018, 2017, 2016.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Exhaust systemup to 3.7× usual

    Stands out in 2 years: 2017, 2016.

    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.

  • Rigid brake pipesup to 2.8× usual

    Stands out in 2 years: 2016, 2015.

    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.

What usually goes wrong with the Citroen C1 Mk2?

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

  • Timing belt that runs in oil (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.

    Check: 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)

  • Steering column recall (very early cars)

    A small batch of cars built in September and October 2014 was recalled because the steering column could collapse.

    Check: If the car was built in late 2014, ask a dealer to check the VIN for the recall.

    Source: Auto Express: used Peugeot 108 review

  • Clunky 2-Tronic automatic

    The optional 2-Tronic is an automated manual, not a true automatic. It can feel jerky and owners rate it poorly.

    Check: Drive it in traffic and pull away several times. Make sure you can live with how it changes gear.

    Source: Auto Express: used Peugeot 108 review

  • Engine turns over but won't start

    Some owners report the engine cranking without firing. A tired battery is the usual cause.

    Check: Start the car from cold yourself and watch for slow cranking.

    Source: Auto Express: used Peugeot 108 review

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

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