2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 Citroen C2 MOT pass rate and common faults

127 MOT tests in 2024. 52.0% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

91Well below average
Passed first time52.0%
Failed or needed repairs48.0%
Typical mileage at test78,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 127 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Service brake imbalance: across an axle7.9%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt6.3%
  3. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength4.7%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm4.7%
    10 marked dangerous
  5. Side repeaters: not working4.7%
  6. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.7%
  7. Stop lamp: not working4.7%
  8. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.9%
  9. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure3.9%
    15 marked dangerous
  10. Side repeaters: incorrect colour3.9%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics44.1%
  2. Suspension32.3%
  3. Brakes21.3%
  4. Body & chassis12.6%
  5. Tyres10.2%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.9%
  7. Steering5.5%
  8. Emissions & leaks3.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.9%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine17.3%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened15.7%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded11.8%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.0%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: service brake imbalance: across an axle. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All C2 years2004 C2 →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Citroen C2?

In 2024, 52.0% of 2003 Citroen C2 cars passed their MOT first time, across 127 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Citroen C2?

The most common failure reasons were service brake imbalance: across an axle; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 Citroen C2 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 91, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).