2023 Citroen C3 — MOT failures & pass rate
516 MOT tests on the 2023 Citroen C3 are in this dataset, and 95.2% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail at 5.1%, so the 2023 C3 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (2.3%) and brakes (1.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, wipers and brake discs — headlamp aim alone was recorded 10 times.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 2.3% | 12 |
| 2 | Brakes | 1.6% | 8 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.4% | 7 |
| 4 | Tyres | 1.0% | 5 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.6% | 3 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.4% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
| 2 | Wipers | 6 |
| 3 | Brake discs | 5 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 5 |
| 5 | Ball joint dust cover | 3 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 2 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 7.0% | 36 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.8% | 25 |
| 3 | Other defects | 2.1% | 11 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.9% | 10 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 0.2% | 1 |
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 | 398 | 4.3% |
| 30-60k | 113 | 7.1% |
What to check before buying a 2023 C3
On a 2023 C3, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 2.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (2.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (1.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Visibility (1.4% 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 2023 Citroen C3s pass their MOT?
95.2% of the 516 2023 Citroen C3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 4.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 Citroen C3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 2.3% of tests, followed by brakes (1.6%).
Does the 2023 C3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.3% in the 0-30k band to 7.1% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 516 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.