Citroen C3 (2010)
2010 Citroen C3
CarHunch analysed 23,732 real MOT records for the 2010 Citroen C3. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2010 Citroën C3 passes its MOT first time in 73.7% of cases, which is 6.3 percentage points below the UK average—a meaningful gap that signals reliability concerns worth taking seriously. Nearly half of these cars (48.5%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a material buyer concern and suggests particular vigilance needed on safety-critical systems.
These C3s are running around 68,000 miles at test time, which is reasonable for their age, but they're averaging 4.5 failures and 24 advisories per vehicle—indicating widespread wear across multiple systems rather than isolated problems. Before purchasing, obtain the full MOT history and have a trusted mechanic inspect the brakes, suspension, and steering components specifically, as dangerous defects are the pattern here rather than the exception.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2.6 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2010 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.
- ⚠️ 48.5% 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 (61%) | 14,546 | 72.7% | 4.75 |
| Petrol (39%) | 9,185 | 75.3% | 4.16 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 85.7% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2010 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 2010 Citroen C3 vehicles fall between 52,832 and 84,331 miles.
2010 Citroen C3 — Still on the Road
15,932 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 70% 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 — 2010 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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71.1%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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57%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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55%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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41.9%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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37%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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33.2%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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32.3%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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31.9%
Rear Exhaust mounting defective
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2010. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Citroen C3?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.