2007 Citroen C3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 43,655 MOT tests, the 2007 Citroen C3 recorded a 71.2% pass rate. Against superminis of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2007 C3 comes out 1.1pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.7% of all tests — 4.2 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and joints — headlamp aim alone was recorded 3,659 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 35.3% versus 17.3%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.1pp more often than petrol ones (31.1% vs 28.0%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 30.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 27.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.7% | 8,149 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.5% | 6,321 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.1% | 3,991 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.9% | 3,461 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.5% | 2,826 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.4% | 2,813 |
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 | 3,659 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 2,871 |
| 3 | Joints | 2,264 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 2,182 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 2,133 |
| 6 | Individual direction indicators | 2,093 |
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% | 13,512 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.9% | 13,037 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.3% | 11,060 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.1% | 9,197 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.0% | 6,963 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.4% | 6,288 |
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 | 1,470 | 17.3% |
| 30-60k | 10,549 | 23.2% |
| 60-90k | 16,321 | 29.5% |
| 90-120k | 10,271 | 32.2% |
| 120-150k | 3,864 | 34.5% |
| 150k+ | 1,161 | 35.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 32,396 | 28.0% |
| Diesel | 11,259 | 31.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11,858 | 27.7% |
| 2022 | 10,291 | 28.4% |
| 2023 | 8,722 | 29.3% |
| 2024 | 7,132 | 29.6% |
| 2025 | 5,652 | 29.9% |
What to check before buying a 2007 C3
On a 2007 C3, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.7% 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 (9.1% 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 2007 Citroen C3s pass their MOT?
71.2% of the 43,655 2007 Citroen C3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Citroen C3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.7% of tests, followed by suspension (14.5%).
Does the 2007 C3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.3% in the 0-30k band to 35.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 43,655 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.