Comparison · small hatchbacks

Citroen C3 vs Hyundai i20: which is more reliable?

The Hyundai i20 does better at the MOT, with a score of 100 against 91 for the Citroen C3, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 315,708 real MOT tests in 2024.

Citroen C3

91Well below average
MOT tests190,318

Hyundai i20

100About average
MOT tests125,390

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testCitroen C3Hyundai i20
3–5 years
102About average
101About average
6–9 years
94Below average
105Above average
10–14 years
87Well below average
96Below average
15+ years
89Well below average
99About average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearCitroen C3Hyundai i20
202190.8%85.8%
202089.1%89.0%
201984.7%87.8%
201879.8%85.4%
201775.0%83.1%
201669.4%80.7%
201566.9%78.7%
201463.9%69.0%
201359.2%62.0%
201254.9%58.3%
201152.9%59.1%
201051.5%59.3%
200950.4%57.9%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaCitroen C3Hyundai i20
Lights & electrics24.914.8
Brakes8.912.0
Suspension13.47.1
Tyres7.45.7
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.77.1
Body & chassis8.61.9
Emissions & leaks5.42.4
Steering3.41.1

Citroen C3: top failures

  1. Stop lamp: not working3.6%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.4%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.2%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.6%
  6. Position lamp: not working2.4%

Hyundai i20: top failures

  1. Position lamp: not working3.8%
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.4%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.8%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
  6. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.3%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Citroen C3 or the Hyundai i20?

The Hyundai i20 does better at the MOT, with a score of 100 against 91 for the Citroen C3, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Citroen C3 and Hyundai i20 can be compared?

Both were tested for 13 registration years (2009–2021). The Citroen C3 had the higher pass rate in 2 of them and the Hyundai i20 in 11.

What fails most on each?

Citroen C3: stop lamp: not working; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Hyundai i20: position lamp: not working; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively.