2009 Citroen C3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 70,327 MOT tests analysed for the 2009 Citroen C3, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 71.4% was below the average for superminis of a similar age (74.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.3% in the 150k+ group versus 17.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.4% | 12,952 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.2% | 9,312 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.0% | 6,349 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.8% | 4,746 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.4% | 4,485 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.3% | 4,403 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stop lamp | 5,138 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 4,434 |
| 3 | Joints | 4,294 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 4,017 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 3,300 |
| 6 | Washers | 2,941 |
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 | 30.1% | 21,167 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.5% | 20,773 |
| 3 | Suspension | 26.2% | 18,438 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.7% | 11,021 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.8% | 10,447 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.8% | 9,713 |
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 | 2,250 | 17.1% |
| 30-60k | 13,438 | 23.4% |
| 60-90k | 25,348 | 28.8% |
| 90-120k | 19,547 | 31.4% |
| 120-150k | 7,470 | 32.6% |
| 150k+ | 2,248 | 32.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 40,642 | 29.9% |
| Petrol | 29,685 | 27.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 16,219 | 27.3% |
| 2022 | 15,497 | 28.1% |
| 2023 | 14,489 | 28.8% |
| 2024 | 12,994 | 29.6% |
| 2025 | 11,128 | 29.9% |
What to check before buying a 2009 C3
Before buying a 2009 Citroen C3, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.4% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.2% 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 (9.0% 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 2009 Citroen C3s pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 70,327 2009 Citroen C3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Citroen C3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.4% of tests, followed by suspension (13.2%).
Does the 2009 C3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.1% in the 0-30k band to 32.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 70,327 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.