2012 Citroen C1 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 64.6% of Citroen C1s first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. Across 41,318 C1 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, brakes and tyres.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Citroen C1s first used in 2012 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2012 Citroen C1 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, C1s first used in 2012 against all cars first used in 2012 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the C1 figure was 1.1 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2012 C1 | All cars first used 2012 | C1 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 73.1% | 68.8% | 14,134 |
| 2022 | 71.3% | 67.4% | 14,092 |
| 2023 | 69.1% | 65.6% | 14,021 |
| 2024 | 65.7% | 64.3% | 13,848 |
| 2025 | 64.6% | 63.5% | 13,449 |
Common 2012 Citroen C1 MOT failures
Share of the 13,828 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Position lamp: not working | 13.0% | 1,800 |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | 9.7% | 1,346 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | 9.2% | 1,270 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 8.3% | 1,153 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 7.3% | 1,011 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2012 Citroen C1 before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Common 2012 Citroen C1 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2012 C1s, as a share of all 41,318 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 21.9% | 9,053 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 16.2% | 6,698 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 13.6% | 5,629 |
| Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 10.8% | 4,455 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 10.8% | 4,451 |
Questions about the 2012 Citroen C1 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2012 Citroen C1?
In 2025, 64.6% of C1s first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2012 C1 most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 51.5% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (29.0%) and tyres (18.7%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (13.0%).
How often does a 2012 Citroen C1 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 35.4% of first tests on C1s first used in 2012 did not pass first time: 27.5% failed, and a further 7.9% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 13,828 of 41,318 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2012 Citroen C1 MOT advisories?
“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 21.9% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (16.2%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (13.6%), “Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (10.8%) and “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (10.8%).
Is a 2012 Citroen C1 reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 73.1% in 2021 to 64.6% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2012
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2012 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2012 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2012 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2012 C1?
The numbers above cover every C1 first used in 2012 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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