2021 Citroen C3 Aircross C-Series Ptech S/S — MOT failures & pass rate

Across 1,033 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Citroen C3 Aircross C-Series Ptech S/S, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, tyres and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 92.7% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.3%).

Pass rate

1,033

MOT tests analysed

7.3%

Fail rate

better than

vs cars of similar age

3.5

Avg age at test (yrs)

How it compares

Fail rate for this model-year against the segment and national averages for cars of a similar age.

Top failure categories

Most common MOT failure areas — 2021 Citroen C3 Aircross C-Series Ptech S/S
#	Category	% of tests affected	Tests
1	Brakes	3.8%	39
2	Tyres	2.9%	30
3	Lighting & signalling	1.5%	15
4	Body, structure & corrosion	0.8%	8
5	Visibility	0.8%	8
6	Seat belts & restraints	0.2%	2

Percentage of tests with at least one failure recorded in each category.

Most common specific failures

The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.

Most frequently recorded failure items — 2021 Citroen C3 Aircross C-Series Ptech S/S
#	Failure item	Times recorded
1	Brake discs	30
2	Tread depth	24
3	Brake pads	19
4	Service brake performance	10
5	Headlamp aim	7
6	Headlamp	7

Top advisory categories

Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.

Most common MOT advisories — 2021 Citroen C3 Aircross C-Series Ptech S/S
#	Category	% of tests with advisory	Tests
1	Brakes	21.9%	226
2	Tyres	18.9%	195
3	Other defects	5.0%	52
4	Body, structure & corrosion	3.2%	33
5	Visibility	1.2%	12
6	Emissions & environmental	1.0%	10

Failure rate by mileage

Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.

MOT fail rate by recorded mileage band.

Fail rate by recorded mileage — 2021 C3 Aircross C-Series Ptech S/S
Mileage band	Tests	Fail rate
0-30k	723	5.5%
30-60k	293	10.9%

Failure rate by age

How this model-year's MOT fail rate climbs as the cars get older.

Trend over time

Fail rate by dataset year — 2021 C3 Aircross C-Series Ptech S/S
Dataset year	Tests	Fail rate
2023	35	2.9%
2024	493	6.7%
2025	505	8.1%

What to check before buying a 2021 C3 Aircross C-Series Ptech S/S

Before buying a 2021 Citroen C3 Aircross C-Series Ptech S/S, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 3.8% of tests for this year.

Brakes (3.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Tyres (2.9% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
Lighting & signalling (1.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.

Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.

Frequently asked questions

How many 2021 Citroen C3 Aircross C-Series Ptech S/Ss pass their MOT?

92.7% of the 1,033 2021 Citroen C3 Aircross C-Series Ptech S/S MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.3% fail rate.

What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Citroen C3 Aircross C-Series Ptech S/S?

Brakes, recorded in 3.8% of tests, followed by tyres (2.9%).

Does the 2021 C3 Aircross C-Series Ptech S/S get worse with mileage?

Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.5% in the 0-30k band to 10.9% in the 30-60k band.

Methodology & source. Based on 1,033 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.