2009 Citroen C3 — MOT failures & pass rate
71,017 MOT tests on the 2009 Citroen C3 are in this dataset, and 71.4% of them passed. Against superminis of a similar age (26.0% fail rate), the 2009 C3 comes out 2.6pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.4% of all tests — 5.2 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are stop lamp, position lamp and joints — stop lamp alone was recorded 5,189 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.2% in the 0-30k band and 32.4% in the 150k+ band, a 15.2-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.9pp more often than petrol ones (29.9% vs 26.9%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 30.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 27.3% 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 | 18.4% | 13,076 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.2% | 9,392 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.0% | 6,383 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.7% | 4,788 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.4% | 4,520 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.3% | 4,445 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stop lamp | 5,189 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 4,478 |
| 3 | Joints | 4,314 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 4,051 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 3,339 |
| 6 | Washers | 2,962 |
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 | 30.2% | 21,423 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.6% | 21,041 |
| 3 | Suspension | 26.3% | 18,656 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.7% | 11,143 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.8% | 10,544 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.8% | 9,810 |
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 | 2,275 | 17.2% |
| 30-60k | 13,560 | 23.4% |
| 60-90k | 25,581 | 28.7% |
| 90-120k | 19,765 | 31.4% |
| 120-150k | 7,547 | 32.7% |
| 150k+ | 2,263 | 32.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 41,181 | 29.9% |
| Petrol | 29,836 | 26.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 16,328 | 27.3% |
| 2022 | 15,635 | 28.1% |
| 2023 | 14,629 | 28.7% |
| 2024 | 13,155 | 29.6% |
| 2025 | 11,270 | 29.9% |
What to check before buying a 2009 C3
On a 2009 C3, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.2% 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 (9.0% 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 2009 Citroen C3s pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 71,017 2009 Citroen C3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Citroen C3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.4% of tests, followed by suspension (13.2%).
Does the 2009 C3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.2% in the 0-30k band to 32.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 71,017 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.