Citroen C3 Picasso (2009)
2009 Citroen C3 Picasso
CarHunch analysed 124 real MOT records for the 2009 Citroen C3 Picasso. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2009 Citroen C3 Picasso has a first-time MOT pass rate of 71.5%, which is 8.5 percentage points below the UK average of 80%—a meaningful gap that reflects genuine reliability concerns. More worrying is that 53.2% of these vehicles have recorded at least one dangerous defect during their MOT history, well above acceptable thresholds for a buyer to overlook.
At 65,000 miles median mileage, these cars are not unusually high-mileage for their age, yet they're still clocking an average of 5 failures and 33 advisories per test, suggesting inherent design or durability weaknesses rather than hard use. If you're considering one, budget for at least £500–£800 in repairs before purchase, have a pre-buy inspection focus on suspension and electrical systems, and walk away if any dangerous defects appear on the most recent MOT history.
What to check before buying a 2009 Citroen C3 Picasso
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.
- ⚠️ 53.2% 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 C3 Picasso
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (77%) | 96 | 71.2% | 5.23 |
| Petrol (23%) | 28 | 72.7% | 4.29 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2009 Citroen C3 Picasso 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 C3 Picasso vehicles fall between 49,885 and 77,072 miles.
2009 Citroen C3 Picasso — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 95 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 85% of the peak.
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
Found a specific Citroen C3 Picasso?
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