Petrol Citroen C3: MOT pass rate

74.2% of petrol Citroen C3s pass the MOT first time, measured across 116,199 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 56,609.

Petrol against the other Citroen C3 versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Petrol cars avoid the DPF and emissions failures that catch diesels, and usually fail on the same consumables as any other car.

On the Citroen C3 specifically, petrol is the strongest at 74.2%, and this petrol version sits 3.4 points above the 70.8% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

The petrol Citroen C3 is the stronger side of this model on MOT data. Still judge the individual car, but the fuel type is a mild point in its favour. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average petrol Citroen C3 had covered 56,609 miles at test, against 86,113 for the diesel. That is around average, so condition and service history will tell you more than the odometer does.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Citroen C3 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a petrol Citroen C3

1. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 2.2% of tests (3.76x the national rate for this defect)
2. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 3.1% of tests (3.05x the national rate for this defect)
3. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 2.3% of tests (1.89x the national rate for this defect)
4. Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 2.5% of tests (1.85x the national rate for this defect)
5. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 2.8% of tests (1.81x the national rate for this defect)
6. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 1.7% of tests (1.81x the national rate for this defect)
7. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 2.2% of tests (1.69x the national rate for this defect)
8. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 3.5% of tests (1.53x the national rate for this defect)
9. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 2.4% of tests (1.42x the national rate for this defect)
10. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 3.3% of tests (1.4x the national rate for this defect)

From 116,944 DVSA-tracked petrol Citroen C3 tests, 2024, split out from the Citroen C3's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 4.17% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a petrol Citroen C3

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 10.5% of tests (3.7x the national rate for this defect), also fails
2. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 4.6% of tests (3.36x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded, 3.2% of tests (2.55x the national rate for this defect)
4. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 5.3% of tests (1.68x the national rate for this defect)
5. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 2% of tests (1.52x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. A tyre seriously damaged, 23.1% of tests (1.5x the national rate for this defect)
7. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 7.2% of tests (1.3x the national rate for this defect)
8. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 15.3% of tests (1.25x the national rate for this defect)
9. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 2.4% of tests (1.2x the national rate for this defect)
10. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 24.8% of tests

From 116,944 DVSA-tracked petrol Citroen C3 tests, 2024.

Other Citroen C3 fuel types

• Diesel Citroen C3 - 64.9%

All Citroen C3 MOT data · Every model