2003 Citroen C3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 25,719 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Citroen C3, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 67.9% was below the average for superminis of a similar age (70.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 35.4% in the 150k+ group versus 18.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.6% | 5,815 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.3% | 4,950 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.9% | 2,281 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.4% | 1,903 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.3% | 1,866 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.5% | 1,666 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 2,817 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 2,533 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 2,356 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 1,862 |
| 5 | Individual direction indicators | 1,505 |
| 6 | Wipers | 1,351 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 32.5% | 8,359 |
| 2 | Tyres | 31.3% | 8,040 |
| 3 | Brakes | 29.8% | 7,652 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 25.3% | 6,514 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.5% | 4,241 |
| 6 | Other defects | 16.2% | 4,175 |
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 | 593 | 18.4% |
| 30-60k | 4,681 | 26.6% |
| 60-90k | 9,433 | 31.5% |
| 90-120k | 7,126 | 35.1% |
| 120-150k | 2,859 | 36.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,009 | 35.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 20,841 | 32.0% |
| Diesel | 4,878 | 32.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,573 | 32.8% |
| 2022 | 6,278 | 31.6% |
| 2023 | 4,786 | 31.8% |
| 2024 | 3,506 | 31.7% |
| 2025 | 2,576 | 31.8% |
What to check before buying a 2003 C3
Before buying a 2003 Citroen C3, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 22.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (22.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (19.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (8.9% 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.
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 2003 Citroen C3s pass their MOT?
67.9% of the 25,719 2003 Citroen C3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Citroen C3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.6% of tests, followed by suspension (19.3%).
Does the 2003 C3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.4% in the 0-30k band to 35.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 25,719 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.