Comparison · small hatchbacks

Nissan Micra vs Citroen C3: which is more reliable?

The Nissan Micra does better at the MOT, with a score of 97 against 91 for the Citroen C3, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 428,682 real MOT tests in 2024.

Nissan Micra

97Below average
MOT tests238,364

Citroen C3

91Well below average
MOT tests190,318

By age

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

Age at testNissan MicraCitroen C3
3–5 years
101About average
102About average
6–9 years
96Below average
94Below average
10–14 years
100About average
87Well below average
15+ years
95Below average
89Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearNissan MicraCitroen C3
202191.2%90.8%
202088.0%89.1%
201983.4%84.7%
201877.2%79.8%
201771.7%75.0%
201675.6%69.4%
201573.9%66.9%
201469.6%63.9%
201366.5%59.2%
201263.0%54.9%
201161.7%52.9%
201060.5%51.5%
200959.6%50.4%
200858.9%51.2%
200755.2%51.4%
200654.5%52.3%
200551.3%49.9%
200451.8%49.7%
200351.6%48.6%
200254.0%50.6%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaNissan MicraCitroen C3
Lights & electrics26.624.9
Suspension17.813.4
Brakes9.28.9
Tyres6.37.4
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.75.7
Body & chassis4.78.6
Emissions & leaks3.95.4
Steering1.73.4

Nissan Micra: top failures

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.8%
  2. Position lamp: not working3.7%
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.2%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.0%
  5. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.8%
  6. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.5%

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%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Nissan Micra or the Citroen C3?

The Nissan Micra does better at the MOT, with a score of 97 against 91 for the Citroen C3, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Nissan Micra and Citroen C3 can be compared?

Both were tested for 20 registration years (2002–2021). The Nissan Micra had the higher pass rate in 16 of them and the Citroen C3 in 4.

What fails most on each?

Nissan Micra: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; position lamp: not working. Citroen C3: stop lamp: not working; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt.