Citroen C1 (2009)
2009 Citroen C1
CarHunch analysed 14,601 real MOT records for the 2009 Citroen C1. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2009 Citroën C1's 76.8% first-time pass rate sits 3.2 percentage points below the UK average, which is a noticeable weakness—but the real concern is that nearly half of these cars (46.4%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above what you'd expect for a budget city car. Petrol versions fare marginally better than diesels (76.9% vs 74.2%), but the difference is modest.
At around 56,000 miles median, these cars are relatively low-mileage for their age, yet they're still racking up an average of 4.13 failures per test, suggesting component fatigue rather than heavy use. The high advisory count (24.5 per vehicle) points to gradual wear across multiple systems—suspension, brake, and trim issues are typical for a 15-year-old budget model. Before buying, get a full pre-purchase inspection focused on structural rust and brake condition, as these will directly affect both safety and repair costs.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2.7 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2009 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.
- ⚠️ 46.4% 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 (96%) | 13,975 | 76.9% | 4.12 |
| Diesel (4%) | 606 | 74.2% | 4.36 |
| Electric (0%) | 15 | 81.8% | 1.53 |
| LPG (0%) | 3 | 74.3% | 4.33 |
| Other (0%) | 2 | 94.4% | 0.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2009 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 2009 Citroen C1 vehicles fall between 41,628 and 71,410 miles.
2009 Citroen C1 — Still on the Road
10,483 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 74% 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 — 2009 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 2009. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Citroen C1?
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