2021 · 3 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2021 Citroen C3 MOT pass rate and common faults

7,990 MOT tests in 2024. 90.8% passed first time, compared with 87.6% for all cars the same age.

104Above average
Passed first time90.8%
Failed or needed repairs9.3%
Typical mileage at test20,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 7,990 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.3%
  2. Position lamp: not working0.9%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.9%
    84 marked dangerous
  4. Headlamp aim: too high0.8%
  5. Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn0.8%
  6. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.6%
  7. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm0.4%
    39 marked dangerous
  8. Headlamp aim: too low0.4%
  9. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed0.4%
    35 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics3.8%
  2. Tyres2.6%
  3. Brakes2.6%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.1%
  5. Body & chassis1.0%
  6. Suspension0.5%
  7. Emissions & leaks0.4%
  8. Seat belts & airbags0.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.7%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm8.0%
  3. Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn6.0%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick5.1%
  5. Non-component advisories: Nail in tyre2.3%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2020 C3All C3 years

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 Citroen C3?

In 2024, 90.8% of 2021 Citroen C3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 7,990 tests. The average for all 3-year-old cars was 87.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2021 Citroen C3?

The most common failure reasons were tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords; position lamp: not working; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2021 Citroen C3 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 104, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).