2008 Citroen C3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 38,683 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Citroen C3, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 71.0% was below the average for superminis of a similar age (73.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 34.6% in the 150k+ group versus 18.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.1% | 6,620 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.9% | 5,361 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.5% | 4,074 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.7% | 2,964 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.9% | 2,684 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.1% | 2,376 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 2,821 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 2,787 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 2,301 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 1,869 |
| 5 | Wipers | 1,826 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 1,742 |
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 | 30.0% | 11,621 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.2% | 11,302 |
| 3 | Brakes | 24.7% | 9,547 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 18.0% | 6,977 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.5% | 6,772 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.3% | 5,542 |
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 | 1,506 | 18.3% |
| 30-60k | 9,585 | 24.1% |
| 60-90k | 14,827 | 29.4% |
| 90-120k | 8,731 | 32.6% |
| 120-150k | 3,002 | 35.2% |
| 150k+ | 1,016 | 34.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 27,138 | 28.3% |
| Diesel | 11,537 | 30.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,886 | 27.7% |
| 2022 | 8,884 | 28.1% |
| 2023 | 7,847 | 29.5% |
| 2024 | 6,635 | 29.9% |
| 2025 | 5,431 | 31.0% |
What to check before buying a 2008 C3
Before buying a 2008 Citroen C3, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 17.1% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (17.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.9% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.5% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2008 Citroen C3s pass their MOT?
71.0% of the 38,683 2008 Citroen C3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Citroen C3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.1% of tests, followed by suspension (13.9%).
Does the 2008 C3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.3% in the 0-30k band to 34.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 38,683 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.