2011 Citroen C3 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Citroen C3 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Citroen C3 petrol than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Exhaust system2.8× usual
  Citroen C3

  16.1% All 2011 cars

  5.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.7% of all 2011 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.

• Track rod ends2.6× usual
  Citroen C3

  12.4% All 2011 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.8%, against 2.4% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Engine oil leaks2× usual
  Citroen C3

  15.1% All 2011 cars

  7.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Individual direction indicators3× usual
  Citroen C3

  8.9% All 2011 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Flexible brake hoses2.4× usual
  Citroen C3

  3.6% All 2011 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

Common 2011 Citroen C3 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Citroen C3 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  40% 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
  35% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Tyres
  34% 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.

• Brakes
  28% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  17% 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 an engine warning light.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  16% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Known faults on the 2011 Citroen C3 petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Won't start: in-tank fuel pump

  Petrol

  A failing low-pressure fuel pump inside the tank can leave the car cranking but not firing.

  At the viewing: Start the car from cold yourself.

  Source: Haynes: Citroen C3 Mk2 common problems

• Alternator failure

  All engines

  Headlights that brighten and dim are an early sign of a failing alternator, which will then flatten the battery.

  At the viewing: Watch the lights with the engine idling, and ask whether the battery keeps going flat.

  If it needs doing: Alternator, about £150–£400. ClickMechanic

  Source: Haynes: Citroen C3 Mk2 common problems

• Brake light switch

  All engines

  A faulty brake light switch can leave the brake lights on or stop cruise control working.

  At the viewing: Ask someone to watch the brake lights as you press and release the pedal.

  Source: Haynes: Citroen C3 Mk2 common problems

• Seized handbrake

  All engines

  The rear drum handbrake lever can seize, so the handbrake won't hold or won't release fully.

  At the viewing: Test that the handbrake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

  Source: Haynes: Citroen C3 Mk2 common problems

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Citroen C3 petrol

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

1. Has it ever failed to start?
2. Has the alternator or battery been replaced?
3. Have there been any warning lights?
4. When were the rear brakes last done?
5. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2011 Citroen C3 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2011 Citroen C3 petrol as on other cars the same age.)