2008 Citroen C3 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 Citroen C3 passed 71.0% of its 38,698 recorded MOT tests. Superminis of a similar age fail 26.9% of the time, so this is 2.1pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.1% of tests against 13.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are joints, headlamp aim and headlamp — joints alone was recorded 2,821 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 18.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 34.6% once past 150k.
The petrol cars hold up better: 28.3% fail against 30.6% for diesel, a 2.3-point gap across 38,690 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 30.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 27.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 31.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.1% | 6,624 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.9% | 5,362 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.5% | 4,075 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.7% | 2,964 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.9% | 2,684 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.1% | 2,377 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 2,821 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 2,791 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 2,301 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 1,871 |
| 5 | Wipers | 1,826 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 1,742 |
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 | 30.0% | 11,627 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.2% | 11,304 |
| 3 | Brakes | 24.7% | 9,550 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 18.0% | 6,980 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.5% | 6,776 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.3% | 5,542 |
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 | 1,506 | 18.3% |
| 30-60k | 9,591 | 24.1% |
| 60-90k | 14,828 | 29.4% |
| 90-120k | 8,739 | 32.6% |
| 120-150k | 3,002 | 35.2% |
| 150k+ | 1,016 | 34.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 27,144 | 28.3% |
| Diesel | 11,546 | 30.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,889 | 27.7% |
| 2022 | 8,886 | 28.1% |
| 2023 | 7,849 | 29.5% |
| 2024 | 6,639 | 29.8% |
| 2025 | 5,435 | 31.0% |
What to check before buying a 2008 C3
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.9% 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 (10.5% 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 2008 Citroen C3s pass their MOT?
71.0% of the 38,698 2008 Citroen C3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Citroen C3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.1% of tests, followed by suspension (13.9%).
Does the 2008 C3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.3% in the 0-30k band to 34.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 38,698 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.