2003 Citroen C2 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,351 MOT tests, the 2003 Citroen C2 recorded a 67.8% pass rate. Superminis of a similar age fail 29.3% of the time, so this is 2.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (18.9%) and suspension (18.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and service brake performance — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 125 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 40.2% versus 19.2%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 32.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 33.6% in 2021 to 26.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 255 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.6% | 252 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.9% | 148 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.7% | 117 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.8% | 92 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.7% | 90 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 125 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 91 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 90 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 88 |
| 5 | Wipers | 81 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 74 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 32.2% | 435 |
| 2 | Tyres | 31.6% | 427 |
| 3 | Suspension | 29.8% | 402 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.1% | 285 |
| 5 | Other defects | 18.2% | 246 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.8% | 227 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 73 | 19.2% |
| 30-60k | 274 | 28.5% |
| 60-90k | 437 | 30.2% |
| 90-120k | 361 | 36.3% |
| 120-150k | 174 | 40.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,230 | 31.9% |
| Diesel | 121 | 35.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 462 | 33.6% |
| 2022 | 351 | 33.6% |
| 2023 | 252 | 32.5% |
| 2024 | 168 | 29.2% |
| 2025 | 118 | 26.3% |
What to check before buying a 2003 C2
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (18.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (10.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2003 Citroen C2s pass their MOT?
67.8% of the 1,351 2003 Citroen C2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Citroen C2?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.9% of tests, followed by suspension (18.6%).
Does the 2003 C2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.2% in the 0-30k band to 40.2% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,351 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.