2017 Citroen C3 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 Citroen C3 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2017 Citroen C3 diesel than on all cars registered in 2017.

• Exhaust system12.5× usual
  Citroen C3

  15% All 2017 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.3% of all 2017 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 discs2.1× usual
  Citroen C3

  22.7% All 2017 cars

  10.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.7% of all 2017 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 lights5.1× usual
  Citroen C3

  10.1% All 2017 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 0.6% of all 2017 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.2× usual
  Citroen C3

  8.1% All 2017 cars

  3.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.7% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Engine oil leaks3.8× usual
  Citroen C3

  5.7% All 2017 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Common 2017 Citroen C3 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2017 Citroen C3 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  31% 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
  28% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  20% 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
  16% 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.

• 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 engine or DPF warning lights.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  6% 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 2017 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.

• Curtain airbag recall (early 2017 cars)

  Cars built Jan - Feb 2017

  In June 2017, about a dozen cars built in January or February 2017 were recalled because the curtain airbags on either side might not work properly.

  At the viewing: On a car built in early 2017, run the VIN through a recall check or ask a Citroen dealer.

  Source: Auto Express: used Citroen C3 (Mk3, 2017-2024) review

• Engine component recall (late 2017 cars)

  Cars built Oct - Nov 2017

  In December 2017, cars built in October and November 2017 were recalled because a substandard part could cause the engine to fail.

  At the viewing: On a car built in late 2017, confirm with a recall check or a Citroen dealer that the work has been done.

  Source: Auto Express: used Citroen C3 (Mk3, 2017-2024) review

• Steering recalls

  Some cars (geometry recall: built Sep 2019 - Mar 2020)

  A January 2019 recall covered steering column joints that might be fitted incorrectly. A May 2020 recall covered incorrect steering geometry on 10 cars built from September 2019 to March 2020.

  At the viewing: Run a recall check on the VIN. On the test drive, make sure the steering feels tight, with no knocking, play or pulling to one side.

  Source: Auto Express: used Citroen C3 (Mk3, 2017-2024) review

• Built-in dashcam and sat-nav problems

  Cars with dashcam/navigation

  Some owners have struggled to copy files off the built-in dashcam or to update the factory sat-nav. Auto Express suggests a good-quality USB cable may help.

  At the viewing: Make sure the touchscreen, sat-nav and dashcam (if fitted) all work.

  Source: Auto Express: used Citroen C3 (Mk3, 2017-2024) review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2017 Citroen C3 diesel

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

1. Has the curtain airbag recall been done on this car?
2. Has the December 2017 engine recall work been done? Is there a record of it?
3. Has any steering recall work been done on this car?
4. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 12.5× as often on the 2017 Citroen C3 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2017 Citroen C3 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 5.1× as often on the 2017 Citroen C3 diesel as on other cars the same age.)