2013 Citroen C3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 87,299 MOT tests analysed for the 2013 Citroen C3, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension. Its pass rate of 77.6% was below the average for superminis of a similar age (78.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.8% in the 150k+ group versus 12.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 12,347 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 6,096 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.9% | 6,030 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.6% | 4,868 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.6% | 4,043 |
| 6 | Brakes | 4.6% | 4,039 |
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 | 4,796 |
| 2 | Joints | 3,553 |
| 3 | Exhaust system | 3,370 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 3,341 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 3,039 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 2,879 |
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 | 27.8% | 24,271 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.3% | 22,100 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.7% | 12,872 |
| 4 | Suspension | 14.0% | 12,187 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.9% | 8,678 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.9% | 6,880 |
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 | 7,090 | 12.4% |
| 30-60k | 32,499 | 18.8% |
| 60-90k | 31,197 | 25.1% |
| 90-120k | 12,445 | 28.1% |
| 120-150k | 3,108 | 29.9% |
| 150k+ | 947 | 30.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 49,168 | 22.6% |
| Petrol | 38,131 | 22.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 17,343 | 19.0% |
| 2022 | 17,531 | 20.5% |
| 2023 | 17,753 | 22.8% |
| 2024 | 17,602 | 24.7% |
| 2025 | 17,070 | 25.1% |
What to check before buying a 2013 C3
Before buying a 2013 Citroen C3, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 14.1% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (14.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (7.0% 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+.
- Suspension (6.9% 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.
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 2013 Citroen C3s pass their MOT?
77.6% of the 87,299 2013 Citroen C3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Citroen C3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.1% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (7.0%).
Does the 2013 C3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.4% in the 0-30k band to 30.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 87,299 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.