2004 Citroen C3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 30,832 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Citroen C3, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 69.2% was below the average for superminis of a similar age (70.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 36.8% in the 150k+ group versus 18.5% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 23.2% | 7,142 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.9% | 5,195 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.3% | 2,546 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.7% | 2,379 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.9% | 2,134 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.5% | 1,997 |
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 | 3,392 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 2,657 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 2,530 |
| 4 | Individual direction indicators | 1,776 |
| 5 | Wipers | 1,577 |
| 6 | Side repeaters | 1,519 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 30.9% | 9,536 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.6% | 9,420 |
| 3 | Brakes | 27.6% | 8,499 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 26.4% | 8,136 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 15.9% | 4,899 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.2% | 4,683 |
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 | 827 | 18.5% |
| 30-60k | 6,384 | 24.4% |
| 60-90k | 11,549 | 30.6% |
| 90-120k | 7,992 | 34.8% |
| 120-150k | 2,901 | 36.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,147 | 36.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 24,604 | 30.3% |
| Diesel | 6,228 | 32.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,822 | 31.3% |
| 2022 | 7,603 | 30.6% |
| 2023 | 5,862 | 30.6% |
| 2024 | 4,356 | 30.8% |
| 2025 | 3,189 | 30.6% |
What to check before buying a 2004 C3
Before buying a 2004 Citroen C3, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 23.2% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (23.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.9% 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 (8.3% 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 2004 Citroen C3s pass their MOT?
69.2% of the 30,832 2004 Citroen C3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Citroen C3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 23.2% of tests, followed by suspension (16.9%).
Does the 2004 C3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.5% in the 0-30k band to 36.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 30,832 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.