Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2017 Citroen C3 Picasso?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2017 Citroen C3 Picasso?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2017 Citroen C3 Picasso?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2017 Citroen C3 Picasso vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

28% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2017 Citroen C3 Picasso reliable?

Based on MOT data from 3,244 vehicles, the 2017 Citroen C3 Picasso has a first-time MOT pass rate of 83.3%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2017 Citroen C3 Picasso?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Citroen C3 Picasso (2017)

3,244 real MOT outcomes analysed • 83.3% first-time pass rate

2017 Citroen C3 Picasso

CarHunch analysed 3,244 real MOT records for the 2017 Citroen C3 Picasso. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Petrol vs Diesel Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2017 Citroën C3 Picasso passes its MOT slightly above the UK average at 83.2%, which is respectable, but nearly 3 in 10 vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a genuine concern for buyers. Petrol versions fare a little better than diesels (84.6% vs 82.4% pass rate), though both are reasonably solid performers.

At just under 35,000 miles median, these are relatively low-mileage cars for their age, yet they're averaging 1.45 failures and 9.2 advisories per test, suggesting wear issues are cropping up despite modest use. Before buying, request the full MOT history and check specifically for suspension, brake, and lighting defects, which tend to be the expensive culprits on this model.

The 2017 Citroen C3 Picasso has a decent first-time pass rate (83.3%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

83.3%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

28.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.45

Over 7.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

35k

Middle half: 25k–46k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 9.2 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 3,244 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 3,244 Citroen C3 Picasso cars.

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 2.2 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

84.6%

Petrol

1,261 vehicles

82.4%

Diesel

1,983 vehicles

Before you buy a 2017 Citroen C3 Picasso

Based on MOT data from 3,244 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 28.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (61%)	1,983	82.4%	1.53
Petrol (39%)	1,261	84.6%	1.34

Colour Breakdown

Based on 6,630 Citroen C3 Picasso vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 23%

1,525

Grey 19.1%

1,266

Red 18.4%

1,218

Silver 14.2%

943

Purple 13.5%

894

Black 6.5%

428

Blue 4.3%

287

Beige 0.8%

Green 0.3%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2017 Citroen C3 Picasso vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

34,859

typical

25,217

low mileage

46,434

high mileage

Half of all 2017 Citroen C3 Picasso vehicles fall between 25,217 and 46,434 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 25,217 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 25,217–46,434 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2017 Citroen C3 Picassos sit.

⚠ Over 62,685 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2017 Citroen C3 Picasso — Still on the Road

Almost all 2017 Citroen C3 Picassos are still on the road.

Strong survival — 3,140 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 98% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2020–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

7.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.45

Avg failures per vehicle

9.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Citroen C3 Picasso: All C3 Picasso years → Which year to buy? →

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Or browse all models: Citroen →

Compare with another model

See how the 2017 Citroen C3 Picasso stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing