Citroen C3 (2009)
2009 Citroen C3
CarHunch analysed 14,132 real MOT records for the 2009 Citroen C3. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2009 Citroën C3 passes its MOT first time in just 71.6% of cases, well below the UK average of 80%, and over half of these cars (51.1%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a significant reliability concern for any buyer. Petrol and diesel versions perform similarly, with petrol slightly ahead at 72.6% versus 70.9%, so fuel type isn't a deciding factor here.
These C3s are running at a sensible 67,377 miles median age-adjusted mileage, but they're still averaging 5.13 failures per test and a worrying 24.7 advisories, pointing to widespread wear and corrosion issues rather than catastrophic faults. Before buying one, get a full pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension, brakes, and exhaust components, as these are the areas where this generation consistently struggles.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 1.7 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2009 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.
- ⚠️ 51.1% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (56%) | 7,877 | 70.9% | 5.37 |
| Petrol (44%) | 6,253 | 72.6% | 4.82 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 50% | 4 |
| LPG (0%) | 1 | 66.7% | 3 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2009 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 2009 Citroen C3 vehicles fall between 52,334 and 82,731 miles.
2009 Citroen C3 — Still on the Road
7,879 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 58% 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 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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74.9%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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48.5%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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48.1%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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43%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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41.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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36.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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35.5%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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32.3%
Offside 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 C3?
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