Citroen C1 (2008)
2008 Citroen C1
CarHunch analysed 14,597 real MOT records for the 2008 Citroen C1. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2008 Citroën C1's first-time pass rate of 74.8% sits noticeably below the UK average of 80%, signalling below-average reliability for its age. More concerning is that 48% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, making this a significant buyer risk that warrants a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
At around 60,000 miles median, these cars show typical mileage for their age, but the 4.68 average failures per test reveal recurring issues beyond minor wear. Before buying, insist on a full MOT history check and budget for brake work, suspension repairs, and electrical fixes—the 26.4 average advisories per vehicle suggest these aren't one-off problems.
What to check before buying a 2008 Citroen C1
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 48% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Citroen C1
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (98%) | 14,280 | 74.8% | 4.69 |
| Diesel (2%) | 312 | 74.1% | 4.37 |
| LPG (0%) | 5 | 71.6% | 5.6 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2008 Citroen C1 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2008 Citroen C1 vehicles fall between 46,011 and 75,056 miles.
2008 Citroen C1 — Still on the Road
8,465 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 60% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2008 Citroen C1
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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64.6%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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61%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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60.6%
Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
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51.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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50.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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48.6%
Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
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38.8%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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36.2%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2008. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Citroen C1?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.