Comparison · small hatchbacks

Vauxhall Corsa vs Citroen C3: which is more reliable?

The Vauxhall Corsa and Citroen C3 are very close at the MOT: scores of 92 and 91. Pick on the condition and history of the actual car. Based on 1,037,982 real MOT tests in 2024.

Vauxhall Corsa

92Well below average
MOT tests847,664

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 testVauxhall CorsaCitroen C3
3–5 years
96Below average
102About average
6–9 years
92Below average
94Below average
10–14 years
90Well below average
87Well below average
15+ years
91Well below average
89Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaVauxhall CorsaCitroen C3
Lights & electrics20.724.9
Suspension14.913.4
Brakes10.28.9
Tyres7.47.4
Body & chassis4.88.6
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.25.7
Emissions & leaks6.35.4
Steering4.93.4

Vauxhall Corsa: top failures

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.3%
  2. Stop lamp: not working3.2%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.5%
  4. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.3%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.1%
  6. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.7%

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 Vauxhall Corsa or the Citroen C3?

The Vauxhall Corsa and Citroen C3 are very close at the MOT: scores of 92 and 91. Pick on the condition and history of the actual car.

Which years of the Vauxhall Corsa and Citroen C3 can be compared?

Both were tested for 20 registration years (2002–2021). The Vauxhall Corsa had the higher pass rate in 11 of them and the Citroen C3 in 9.

What fails most on each?

Vauxhall Corsa: coil spring: fractured or broken; stop lamp: not working. Citroen C3: stop lamp: not working; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt.