2018 Citroen C3: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Citroen C3?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Citroen C3 than on all cars registered in 2018.

• Exhaust system10.2× usual
  Citroen C3

  11.2% All 2018 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.2% of all 2018 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.

• Brake discs1.6× usual
  Citroen C3

  17.2% All 2018 cars

  10.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.6% of all 2018 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.

• Number plate lights4.1× usual
  Citroen C3

  7.3% All 2018 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.6% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.3× usual
  Citroen C3

  7.2% All 2018 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.5% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)9.7× usual
  Citroen C3

  2.9% All 2018 cars

  0.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 0.3% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Common 2018 Citroen C3 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Citroen C3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  32% 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
  20% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  17% 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
  13% 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.

• Suspension
  12% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  5% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2018 Citroen C3

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.

• Timing belt that runs in oil (PureTech petrol)

  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)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 Citroen C3

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 exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 10.2× as often on the 2018 Citroen C3 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2018 Citroen C3 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 4.1× as often on the 2018 Citroen C3 as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?