2012 Citroen C3 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Citroen C3 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Citroen C3 diesel than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Exhaust system3.4× usual
  Citroen C3

  17% All 2012 cars

  5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 1.4% of all 2012 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.

• Brake discs1.8× usual
  Citroen C3

  25% All 2012 cars

  13.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.1% of all 2012 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 lights2.1× usual
  Citroen C3

  14.2% All 2012 cars

  6.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 2% of all 2012 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.

• Track rod ends2.5× usual
  Citroen C3

  10.7% All 2012 cars

  4.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 2.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

• Brake lights2.7× usual
  Citroen C3

  9.7% All 2012 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9%, against 2.9% of all 2012 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 2012 Citroen C3 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Citroen C3 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Lights and electrics
  38% 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
  36% 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
  35% 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
  34% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  18% 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
  10% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

Known faults on the 2012 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.

• Alternator failure

  All engines

  Headlights that brighten and dim are an early sign of a failing alternator, which will then flatten the battery.

  At the viewing: Watch the lights with the engine idling, and ask whether the battery keeps going flat.

  If it needs doing: Alternator, about £150–£400. ClickMechanic

  Source: Haynes: Citroen C3 Mk2 common problems

• Brake light switch

  All engines

  A faulty brake light switch can leave the brake lights on or stop cruise control working.

  At the viewing: Ask someone to watch the brake lights as you press and release the pedal.

  Source: Haynes: Citroen C3 Mk2 common problems

• Seized handbrake

  All engines

  The rear drum handbrake lever can seize, so the handbrake won't hold or won't release fully.

  At the viewing: Test that the handbrake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

  Source: Haynes: Citroen C3 Mk2 common problems

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Citroen C3 diesel

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

1. Has the alternator or battery been replaced?
2. Have there been any warning lights?
3. When were the rear brakes last done?
4. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the 2012 Citroen C3 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2012 Citroen C3 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2012 Citroen C3 diesel as on other cars the same age.)