Citroen C3 (2002)
2002 Citroen C3
CarHunch analysed 14,687 real MOT records for the 2002 Citroen C3. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2002 Citroen C3 passes its MOT first time in only 68.9% of cases, well below the UK average of 80%, and nearly 4 in 10 of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a serious concern for any buyer. Petrol and diesel versions perform almost identically (69.1% and 68.1% pass rates respectively), so fuel type won't help you avoid the underlying reliability issues.
These C3s are covering relatively modest mileage for their age (median 65,000 miles), yet still averaging 5.66 failures per test, suggesting age-related wear rather than high-mileage abuse. Before buying, insist on a full pre-purchase inspection focusing on suspension, brakes, and steering—the high advisory count of 20.4 per vehicle points to accumulating mechanical wear that typically leads to failures.
What to check before buying a 2002 Citroen C3
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.
- ⚠️ 38.9% 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
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 (74%) | 10,879 | 69.1% | 5.64 |
| Diesel (26%) | 3,803 | 68.1% | 5.7 |
| Other (0%) | 5 | 69.6% | 1.2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2002 Citroen C3 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 2002 Citroen C3 vehicles fall between 51,564 and 79,468 miles.
2002 Citroen C3 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 640 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (5% of 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
Most Common MOT Issues — 2002 Citroen C3
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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89.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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86.5%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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70.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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63.1%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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60.8%
Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated
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38.4%
Oil leak
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38.2%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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37%
Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2002. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Citroen C3?
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