2011 Citroen C3 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 53.5% of Citroen C3s first used in 2011 passed their MOT first time, against 61.2% for all cars first used in 2011. Across 46,058 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 2011 (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 2011 Citroen C3 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, C3s first used in 2011 against all cars first used in 2011 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the C3 figure was 7.7 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2011 C3 | All cars first used 2011 | C3 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 58.7% | 65.8% | 17,188 |
| 2022 | 56.8% | 64.5% | 16,728 |
| 2023 | 54.4% | 63.0% | 16,266 |
| 2024 | 52.8% | 61.8% | 15,475 |
| 2025 | 53.5% | 61.2% | 14,317 |
Common 2011 Citroen C3 MOT failures
Share of the 21,386 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 15.4% | 3,302 |
| Position lamp: not working | 15.4% | 3,297 |
| Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play | 15.4% | 3,286 |
| Stop lamp: not working | 14.1% | 3,014 |
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 10.7% | 2,281 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Coil spring replacement | £248 | £175–£400 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2011 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 2011 Citroen C3 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2011 C3s, as a share of all 46,058 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 19.8% | 9,120 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 16.9% | 7,802 |
| Exhaust system: mounting defective | 10.6% | 4,889 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 10.6% | 4,887 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 10.3% | 4,755 |
Questions about the 2011 Citroen C3 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2011 Citroen C3?
In 2025, 53.5% of C3s first used in 2011 passed their MOT first time, against 61.2% for all cars first used in 2011. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2011 C3 most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 50.2% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (37.7%) and body, chassis and structure (20.4%). The single most common item was “Coil spring: fractured or broken” (15.4%).
How often does a 2011 Citroen C3 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 46.5% of first tests on C3s first used in 2011 did not pass first time: 37.6% failed, and a further 8.9% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 21,386 of 46,058 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2011 Citroen C3 MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 19.8% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (16.9%), “Exhaust system: mounting defective” (10.6%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (10.6%) and “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (10.3%).
Is a 2011 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 58.7% in 2021 to 53.5% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2011
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2011 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2011 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2011 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2011 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2011 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2011 C3?
The numbers above cover every C3 first used in 2011 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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