2009 Citroen C2 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Citroen C2 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Citroen C2 diesel than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints3.2× usual
  Citroen C2

  15.4% All 2009 cars

  4.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.6%, against 2.3% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Braking performance2× usual
  Citroen C2

  12.8% All 2009 cars

  6.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, 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.

• Individual direction indicators2.6× usual
  Citroen C2

  7.6% All 2009 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1.3% of all 2009 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.

• Wheel bearings3× usual
  Citroen C2

  6.2% All 2009 cars

  2.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.8% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

• Brake lights1.8× usual
  Citroen C2

  9.4% All 2009 cars

  5.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.1%, against 4.2% of all 2009 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.

Common 2009 Citroen C2 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Citroen C2 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  48% 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
  39% 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
  36% 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
  16% 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 engine or DPF warning lights.

• Driveshafts and joints
  15% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 Citroen C2 diesel

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

1. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2009 Citroen C2 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2009 Citroen C2 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2009 Citroen C2 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?