2010 Citroen C3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 132,180 MOT tests, the 2010 Citroen C3 recorded a 71.8% pass rate. Superminis of a similar age fail 25.1% of the time, so this is 3.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.2%) and suspension (13.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, position lamp and coil spring — track rod end alone was recorded 7,850 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 15.7% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 32.6% once past 150k — 2.1× the risk.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.8pp more often than petrol ones (29.3% vs 26.5%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 29.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 26.8% 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 | 16.2% | 21,347 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.2% | 17,413 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 10,089 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.0% | 9,195 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.8% | 7,718 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.8% | 7,718 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 7,850 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 7,780 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 7,237 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 6,359 |
| 5 | Joints | 6,330 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 6,217 |
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 | 29.6% | 39,197 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.3% | 36,032 |
| 3 | Suspension | 25.5% | 33,760 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 17.0% | 22,510 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.5% | 19,188 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 18,547 |
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 | 3,040 | 15.7% |
| 30-60k | 24,954 | 22.4% |
| 60-90k | 47,690 | 28.2% |
| 90-120k | 36,814 | 31.2% |
| 120-150k | 14,816 | 32.1% |
| 150k+ | 4,817 | 32.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 82,749 | 29.3% |
| Petrol | 49,428 | 26.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 28,849 | 26.8% |
| 2022 | 28,009 | 27.2% |
| 2023 | 27,168 | 28.7% |
| 2024 | 25,397 | 29.3% |
| 2025 | 22,757 | 29.5% |
What to check before buying a 2010 C3
On a 2010 C3, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.2% 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 (7.6% 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 2010 Citroen C3s pass their MOT?
71.8% of the 132,180 2010 Citroen C3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Citroen C3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.2% of tests, followed by suspension (13.2%).
Does the 2010 C3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.7% in the 0-30k band to 32.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 132,180 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.