2006 Citroen C3 — MOT failures & pass rate
39,650 MOT tests on the 2006 Citroen C3 are in this dataset, and 71.4% of them passed. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (28.3% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.4% of tests against 14.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and component mounting prescribed areas — headlamp aim alone was recorded 3,693 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 36.3% versus 14.5%.
The petrol cars hold up better: 27.8% fail against 31.6% for diesel, a 3.7-point gap across 39,650 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 30.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 27.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.4% | 7,684 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.5% | 5,763 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.4% | 2,947 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.1% | 2,822 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.7% | 2,664 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.4% | 2,547 |
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 | 3,693 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 2,893 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 2,297 |
| 4 | Individual direction indicators | 2,039 |
| 5 | Wipers | 1,908 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 1,852 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 30.9% | 12,238 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.9% | 11,866 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.8% | 9,446 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.9% | 8,687 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 15.5% | 6,134 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.2% | 5,651 |
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 | 1,395 | 14.5% |
| 30-60k | 9,546 | 22.9% |
| 60-90k | 14,674 | 28.8% |
| 90-120k | 9,522 | 32.6% |
| 120-150k | 3,385 | 35.4% |
| 150k+ | 1,116 | 36.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 31,954 | 27.8% |
| Diesel | 7,696 | 31.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11,295 | 27.6% |
| 2022 | 9,398 | 28.0% |
| 2023 | 7,849 | 29.3% |
| 2024 | 6,267 | 29.4% |
| 2025 | 4,841 | 29.5% |
What to check before buying a 2006 C3
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.5% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (7.4% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2006 Citroen C3s pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 39,650 2006 Citroen C3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Citroen C3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.4% of tests, followed by suspension (14.5%).
Does the 2006 C3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.5% in the 0-30k band to 36.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 39,650 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.