2011 Citroen C3 — MOT failures & pass rate
107,659 MOT tests on the 2011 Citroen C3 are in this dataset, and 73.3% of them passed. That is 2.8 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 23.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.3% of tests against 12.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, track rod end and position lamp — coil spring alone was recorded 6,769 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.6% in the 0-30k band and 31.1% in the 150k+ band, a 16.5-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 25.4% fail against 27.5% for diesel, a 2.1-point gap across 107,659 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 29.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 24.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.3% | 17,567 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.2% | 13,098 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.9% | 7,395 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.1% | 6,551 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.9% | 6,347 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.6% | 6,064 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 6,769 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 6,283 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 6,197 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 5,514 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 4,803 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 4,553 |
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 | 29.0% | 31,267 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.0% | 28,003 |
| 3 | Suspension | 21.2% | 22,854 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.5% | 15,622 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 14,021 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 10.0% | 10,795 |
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 | 3,264 | 14.6% |
| 30-60k | 24,680 | 21.6% |
| 60-90k | 41,404 | 27.3% |
| 90-120k | 26,533 | 29.9% |
| 120-150k | 9,132 | 31.6% |
| 150k+ | 2,615 | 31.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 68,589 | 27.5% |
| Petrol | 39,070 | 25.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 22,698 | 24.9% |
| 2022 | 22,331 | 25.6% |
| 2023 | 22,045 | 27.1% |
| 2024 | 21,187 | 28.2% |
| 2025 | 19,398 | 28.0% |
What to check before buying a 2011 C3
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.2% 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 (6.9% 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 2011 Citroen C3s pass their MOT?
73.3% of the 107,659 2011 Citroen C3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Citroen C3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.3% of tests, followed by suspension (12.2%).
Does the 2011 C3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.6% in the 0-30k band to 31.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 107,659 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.