Citroen C1 (2012)
2012 Citroen C1
CarHunch analysed 14,794 real MOT records for the 2012 Citroen C1. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2012 Citroën C1 passes its MOT at 80.9%, fractionally above the UK average of 80%, which is reassuring—but the real concern is that 42.2% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above the typical threshold for buyer wariness. This high dangerous defect rate suggests structural or safety issues that deserve serious inspection before purchase.
At 48,000 miles average, these C1s are relatively low-mileage for their age, yet they're racking up 2.71 failures per vehicle on test, indicating that wear-related problems emerge earlier than expected. Before buying, obtain the full MOT history and have a pre-purchase inspection focus on suspension, brakes, and structural integrity—the dangerous defect prevalence suggests these are the weak points on this generation.
What to check before buying a 2012 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.
- ⚠️ 42.2% 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 (100%) | 14,783 | 80.9% | 2.71 |
| Diesel (0%) | 7 | 83.6% | 2.14 |
| Other (0%) | 2 | 100% | 0 |
| LPG (0%) | 2 | 81.1% | 2.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2012 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 2012 Citroen C1 vehicles fall between 35,044 and 60,175 miles.
2012 Citroen C1 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 12,922 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 90% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2012 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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65.1%
Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
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55.6%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
52.3%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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41.7%
Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
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41.6%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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40.6%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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40.2%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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34.4%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2012. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Citroen C1?
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