2019 Citroen C3 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2019 Citroen C3 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2019 Citroen C3 diesel than on all cars registered in 2019.

• Exhaust system27.6× usual
  Citroen C3

  13.8% All 2019 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.1% of all 2019 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 discs2.3× usual
  Citroen C3

  19.9% All 2019 cars

  8.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.4% of all 2019 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints4.4× usual
  Citroen C3

  6.2% All 2019 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.2% of all 2019 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.

• Number plate lights4.7× usual
  Citroen C3

  5.2% All 2019 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.4% of all 2019 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.

• Sidelights8.2× usual
  Citroen C3

  3.3% All 2019 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 0.3% of all 2019 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.

Common 2019 Citroen C3 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2019 Citroen C3 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  28% 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
  25% 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
  15% 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
  9% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  4% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2019 Citroen C3 diesel

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

1. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 27.6× as often on the 2019 Citroen C3 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2019 Citroen C3 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.4× as often on the 2019 Citroen C3 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?