2016 Citroen C3 — MOT failures & pass rate
64,730 MOT tests on the 2016 Citroen C3 are in this dataset, and 83.7% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail at 15.6%, so the 2016 C3 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 9.0% of all tests — 3.5 points clear of tyres, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are joints, wipers and stop lamp — joints alone was recorded 2,452 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.9% in the 0-30k band and 26.3% in the 150k+ band, a 15.4-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.1pp more often than petrol ones (17.5% vs 15.4%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 26.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 12.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.0% | 5,798 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.4% | 3,506 |
| 3 | Visibility | 4.8% | 3,086 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.7% | 3,069 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.1% | 1,980 |
| 6 | Suspension | 3.0% | 1,952 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 2,452 |
| 2 | Wipers | 2,240 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 2,142 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 1,872 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 1,429 |
| 6 | Washers | 1,351 |
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 | 26.7% | 17,259 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.9% | 13,560 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.0% | 6,448 |
| 4 | Suspension | 6.8% | 4,407 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.5% | 3,581 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 5.3% | 3,397 |
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 | 20,417 | 10.9% |
| 30-60k | 31,198 | 16.6% |
| 60-90k | 10,467 | 23.2% |
| 90-120k | 2,172 | 25.6% |
| 120-150k | 378 | 31.2% |
| 150k+ | 95 | 26.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 37,393 | 15.4% |
| Diesel | 27,337 | 17.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,539 | 12.3% |
| 2022 | 12,705 | 13.5% |
| 2023 | 13,077 | 16.5% |
| 2024 | 13,160 | 18.8% |
| 2025 | 13,249 | 20.0% |
What to check before buying a 2016 C3
On a 2016 C3, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (9.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (5.4% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (4.8% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2016 Citroen C3s pass their MOT?
83.7% of the 64,730 2016 Citroen C3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Citroen C3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.0% of tests, followed by tyres (5.4%).
Does the 2016 C3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.9% in the 0-30k band to 26.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 64,730 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.