2004 Citroen C2 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Citroen C2 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 Citroen C2 petrol than on all cars registered in 2004.

• Side repeaters4.5× usual
  Citroen C2

  8.5% All 2004 cars

  1.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 1% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

• Rust around suspension or steering mountings2× usual
  Citroen C2

  12.3% All 2004 cars

  6.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.7%, against 2.9% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Exhaust system1.6× usual
  Citroen C2

  15.9% All 2004 cars

  9.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 2.8% of all 2004 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.

• Individual direction indicators2.4× usual
  Citroen C2

  8.2% All 2004 cars

  3.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.5% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Brakes pulling to one side2.3× usual
  Citroen C2

  4.2% All 2004 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1.3% of all 2004 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.

Common 2004 Citroen C2 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2004 Citroen C2 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  47% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  42% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  36% 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.

• 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
  17% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  15% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2004 Citroen C2 petrol

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

1. Any recent work on the side repeaters? (Flagged at MOT 4.5× as often on the 2004 Citroen C2 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2004 Citroen C2 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2004 Citroen C2 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?