2009 Citroen C3 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 49.9% of Citroen C3s first used in 2009 passed their MOT first time, against 58.3% for all cars first used in 2009. Across 28,373 C3 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and body, chassis and structure.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Citroen C3s first used in 2009 (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 2009 Citroen C3 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, C3s first used in 2009 against all cars first used in 2009 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the C3 figure was 8.4 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2009 C3 | All cars first used 2009 | C3 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 53.2% | 60.5% | 12,017 |
| 2022 | 51.8% | 60.1% | 11,406 |
| 2023 | 51.0% | 59.0% | 10,650 |
| 2024 | 50.4% | 58.4% | 9,534 |
| 2025 | 49.9% | 58.3% | 8,189 |
Common 2009 Citroen C3 MOT failures
Share of the 14,047 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Stop lamp: not working | 17.3% | 2,428 |
| Position lamp: not working | 15.7% | 2,212 |
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 14.7% | 2,068 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 11.3% | 1,588 |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | 8.8% | 1,235 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a C3 in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: excessively worn | Ball joint replacement | £90 | £60–£150 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2009 Citroen C3 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.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Body and underside. Worth looking underneath with a torch at the sills, floor and mountings for corrosion, and at the rubber boots on the drive shafts for splits.
Common 2009 Citroen C3 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2009 C3s, as a share of all 28,373 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 21.0% | 5,972 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 19.8% | 5,609 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 14.4% | 4,096 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 10.4% | 2,964 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 8.2% | 2,340 |
Questions about the 2009 Citroen C3 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2009 Citroen C3?
In 2025, 49.9% of C3s first used in 2009 passed their MOT first time, against 58.3% for all cars first used in 2009. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2009 C3 most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 52.1% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (39.3%) and body, chassis and structure (25.2%). The single most common item was “Stop lamp: not working” (17.3%).
How often does a 2009 Citroen C3 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 50.1% of first tests on C3s first used in 2009 did not pass first time: 40.6% failed, and a further 9.5% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 14,047 of 28,373 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2009 Citroen C3 MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 21.0% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (19.8%), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (14.4%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (10.4%) and “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (8.2%).
Is a 2009 Citroen C3 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 53.2% in 2021 to 49.9% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2009
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2009 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2009 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2009 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2009 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2009 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2009 C3?
The numbers above cover every C3 first used in 2009 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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