2009 Citroen C1 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Citroen C1 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Citroen C1 petrol than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Rigid brake pipes3.5× usual
  Citroen C1

  24.9% All 2009 cars

  7.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 1.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Braking performance2.9× usual
  Citroen C1

  19% All 2009 cars

  6.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.5%, against 2.6% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes14× usual
  Citroen C1

  9.8% All 2009 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Exhaust system1.6× usual
  Citroen C1

  12.4% All 2009 cars

  7.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 2.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Wheels2.5× usual
  Citroen C1

  5.3% All 2009 cars

  2.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.6% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

Common 2009 Citroen C1 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Citroen C1 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  48% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  36% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Suspension
  35% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Tyres
  34% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Exhaust and emissions
  14% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2009 Citroen C1 petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Squeaking or failing clutch

  Manual gearbox

  A squeak from underneath as you let the clutch out, with a stiff gear change, points to a worn clutch.

  At the viewing: Listen as you pull away, and try every gear.

  If it needs doing: Clutch replacement, about £250–£600. ClickMechanic

  Source: Haynes: Toyota Aygo Mk1 common problems

• Gear cable that can snap

  Manual gearbox

  One of the gear cables can fail suddenly, leaving no gears at all.

  At the viewing: Make sure every gear goes in cleanly, including reverse.

  Source: Haynes: Toyota Aygo Mk1 common problems

• Heavy steering

  All

  Heavy steering can mean a failing power steering control unit, which is replaced as a whole.

  At the viewing: Turn the wheel at a standstill and at low speed: it should feel light.

  Source: Haynes: Toyota Aygo Mk1 common problems

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 Citroen C1 petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the clutch been replaced?
2. Have the gear cables been replaced?
3. Has the steering had any work?
4. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2009 Citroen C1 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2009 Citroen C1 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 14× as often on the 2009 Citroen C1 petrol as on other cars the same age.)