2003 Citroen C3 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Citroen C3 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Citroen C3 petrol than on all cars registered in 2003.

• Headlights1.8× usual
  Citroen C3

  20.8% All 2003 cars

  11.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.8%, against 4.6% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Side repeaters5.1× usual
  Citroen C3

  8.7% All 2003 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 0.9% of all 2003 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.

• Individual direction indicators3.2× usual
  Citroen C3

  10.2% All 2003 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 1.5% of all 2003 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.

• Rust around suspension or steering mountings2× usual
  Citroen C3

  12.7% All 2003 cars

  6.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.5%, against 3.1% of all 2003 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.

• Coil springs1.6× usual
  Citroen C3

  16.8% All 2003 cars

  10.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.4%, against 2.5% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

Common 2003 Citroen C3 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Citroen C3 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Lights and electrics
  48% 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
  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.

• Tyres
  37% 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.

• 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  18% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  15% 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.

Known faults on the 2003 Citroen C3 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.

• Sensodrive gearbox failure

  Sensodrive

  The Sensodrive semi-automatic gearbox can fail completely, and What Car? advises avoiding these cars.

  At the viewing: Check whether it has the Sensodrive gearbox.

  Source: What Car?: used Citroen C3 (2002-2010) reliability

• Fragile trim, electrics and front pads

  All engines

  Interior trim can break off, electrics can be unreliable, and front pads can wear fast. There was an early suspension recall.

  At the viewing: Look over the interior, test the electrics, and ask about recalls.

  Source: What Car?: used Citroen C3 (2002-2010) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2003 Citroen C3 petrol

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

1. Has the Sensodrive gearbox had any work?
2. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2003 Citroen C3 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the side repeaters? (Flagged at MOT 5.1× as often on the 2003 Citroen C3 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2003 Citroen C3 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?