2021 Citroen C3 Aircross Shine Puretech S/S — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,236 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Citroen C3 Aircross Shine Puretech S/S, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 93.2% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 2.8% | 63 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.7% | 61 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 35 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.3% | 28 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.8% | 17 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.5% | 12 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake discs | 52 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 36 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 24 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 23 |
| 5 | Washers | 22 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 14 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 21.0% | 470 |
| 2 | Tyres | 18.0% | 402 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.4% | 121 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.1% | 48 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.7% | 38 |
| 6 | Visibility | 0.9% | 21 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,558 | 5.7% |
| 30-60k | 602 | 9.5% |
| 60-90k | 73 | 8.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,111 | 6.9% |
| 2025 | 1,096 | 6.8% |
What to check before buying a 2021 C3 Aircross Shine Puretech S/S
Before buying a 2021 Citroen C3 Aircross Shine Puretech S/S, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 2.8% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (2.8% 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.
- Brakes (2.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.6% 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 Shine Puretech S/Ss pass their MOT?
93.2% of the 2,236 2021 Citroen C3 Aircross Shine Puretech S/S MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Citroen C3 Aircross Shine Puretech S/S?
Tyres, recorded in 2.8% of tests, followed by brakes (2.7%).
Does the 2021 C3 Aircross Shine Puretech S/S get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.7% in the 0-30k band to 8.2% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,236 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.