2009 Citroen C3 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Citroen C3 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Citroen C3 diesel than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Brake discs2× usual
  Citroen C3

  28.1% All 2009 cars

  14.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

• Number plate lights2× usual
  Citroen C3

  16.6% All 2009 cars

  8.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 2.3% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Ball joint2.2× usual
  Citroen C3

  14.1% All 2009 cars

  6.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.7%, against 3.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.3× usual
  Citroen C3

  11.4% All 2009 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.1%, 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.

• Brake lights2.2× usual
  Citroen C3

  11.3% All 2009 cars

  5.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.8%, 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 C3 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Citroen C3 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  46% 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
  39% 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
  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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  19% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  16% 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.

Known faults on the 2009 Citroen C3 diesel

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

• Injector pump failure (early 1.6 HDi diesel)

  1.6 HDi diesel

  The injector pump fails on earlier 1.6 16v HDi diesels. Most were fixed under warranty with revised parts.

  At the viewing: Ask whether the revised parts were fitted.

  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 2009 Citroen C3 diesel

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 brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2009 Citroen C3 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2009 Citroen C3 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2009 Citroen C3 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?