2002 Citroen C3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 9,337 MOT tests analysed for the 2002 Citroen C3, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 68.2% was below the average for superminis of a similar age (70.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 34.3% in the 150k+ group versus 21.2% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.8% | 2,131 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.8% | 1,846 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.1% | 853 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.3% | 678 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 649 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.6% | 615 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 1,212 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 913 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 732 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 651 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 519 |
| 6 | Wipers | 489 |
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 | 34.1% | 3,187 |
| 2 | Tyres | 32.2% | 3,005 |
| 3 | Suspension | 31.9% | 2,980 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 27.7% | 2,586 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 18.1% | 1,692 |
| 6 | Other defects | 17.0% | 1,591 |
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 | 132 | 21.2% |
| 30-60k | 1,445 | 25.3% |
| 60-90k | 3,094 | 29.4% |
| 90-120k | 2,699 | 35.4% |
| 120-150k | 1,407 | 36.6% |
| 150k+ | 548 | 34.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 7,153 | 31.5% |
| Diesel | 2,184 | 32.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,101 | 32.1% |
| 2022 | 2,359 | 32.0% |
| 2023 | 1,753 | 31.7% |
| 2024 | 1,223 | 31.1% |
| 2025 | 901 | 31.2% |
What to check before buying a 2002 C3
Before buying a 2002 Citroen C3, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 22.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (22.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (19.8% 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 (9.1% 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 2002 Citroen C3s pass their MOT?
68.2% of the 9,337 2002 Citroen C3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Citroen C3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.8% of tests, followed by suspension (19.8%).
Does the 2002 C3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.2% in the 0-30k band to 34.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,337 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.