Comparison · small hatchbacks

Renault Clio vs Citroen C3: which is more reliable?

The Citroen C3 does better at the MOT, with a score of 91 against 83 for the Renault Clio, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 507,167 real MOT tests in 2024.

Renault Clio

83Well below average
MOT tests316,849

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 testRenault ClioCitroen C3
3–5 years
95Below average
102About average
6–9 years
83Well below average
94Below average
10–14 years
78Well below average
87Well below average
15+ years
83Well below average
89Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearRenault ClioCitroen C3
202187.0%90.8%
202084.2%89.1%
201977.0%84.7%
201874.0%79.8%
201768.7%75.0%
201660.7%69.4%
201557.7%66.9%
201454.7%63.9%
201355.8%59.2%
201247.6%54.9%
201146.6%52.9%
201047.1%51.5%
200948.1%50.4%
200846.7%51.2%
200746.7%51.4%
200646.6%52.3%
200547.7%49.9%
200448.4%49.7%
200349.0%48.6%
200252.5%50.6%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaRenault ClioCitroen C3
Lights & electrics28.124.9
Suspension23.513.4
Brakes15.98.9
Tyres9.27.4
Body & chassis5.98.6
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.55.7
Steering6.53.4
Emissions & leaks3.85.4

Renault Clio: top failures

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn7.2%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken7.1%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play4.3%
  4. Position lamp: not working3.5%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
  6. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.6%

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 Renault Clio or the Citroen C3?

The Citroen C3 does better at the MOT, with a score of 91 against 83 for the Renault Clio, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Renault Clio and Citroen C3 can be compared?

Both were tested for 20 registration years (2002–2021). The Renault Clio had the higher pass rate in 2 of them and the Citroen C3 in 18.

What fails most on each?

Renault Clio: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; coil spring: fractured or broken. Citroen C3: stop lamp: not working; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt.