2021 Citroen C3 Aircross — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2021 Citroen C3 Aircross passed 92.7% of its 9,558 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as small SUVs of a similar age (7.2% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.6%) and brakes (2.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake discs, brake pads and headlamp aim — brake discs alone was recorded 176 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 10.8% once past 60-90k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 20.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.6% | 343 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.5% | 244 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 170 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.0% | 92 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.6% | 54 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.4% | 43 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake discs | 176 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 130 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 115 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 109 |
| 5 | Washers | 66 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 55 |
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 | 20.3% | 1,945 |
| 2 | Tyres | 20.0% | 1,910 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.2% | 497 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.0% | 188 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.3% | 124 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.2% | 111 |
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 | 7,133 | 6.2% |
| 30-60k | 2,260 | 10.7% |
| 60-90k | 157 | 10.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 9,384 | 7.3% |
| Diesel | 174 | 8.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 225 | 5.8% |
| 2024 | 4,705 | 7.6% |
| 2025 | 4,623 | 7.2% |
What to check before buying a 2021 C3 Aircross
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 3.6% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (3.6% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (2.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2021 Citroen C3 Aircrosss pass their MOT?
92.7% of the 9,558 2021 Citroen C3 Aircross MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Citroen C3 Aircross?
Tyres, recorded in 3.6% of tests, followed by brakes (2.5%).
Does the 2021 C3 Aircross get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.2% in the 0-30k band to 10.8% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,558 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.