2016 · 8 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2016 Citroen C3 MOT pass rate and common faults

8,695 MOT tests in 2024. 69.4% passed first time, compared with 76.6% for all cars the same age.

91Well below average
Passed first time69.4%
Failed or needed repairs30.6%
Typical mileage at test45,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 8,695 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.4%
  2. Stop lamp: not working4.2%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.5%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.8%
    251 marked dangerous
  5. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.7%
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.5%
    163 marked dangerous
  7. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.5%
  8. Exhaust system: system insecure1.4%
  9. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play1.4%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics15.8%
  2. Tyres8.4%
  3. Body & chassis8.0%
  4. Suspension5.9%
  5. Brakes5.6%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.8%
  7. Emissions & leaks3.5%
  8. Steering1.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure14.6%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm13.1%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened12.8%
  4. Exhaust system: system insecure8.8%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick6.4%

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: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2015 C3All C3 years2017 C3 →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2016 Citroen C3?

In 2024, 69.4% of 2016 Citroen C3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 8,695 tests. The average for all 8-year-old cars was 76.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2016 Citroen C3?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; stop lamp: not working; coil spring: fractured or broken. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2016 Citroen C3 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).