Citroen C3 (2012)
2012 Citroen C3
CarHunch analysed 16,815 real MOT records for the 2012 Citroen C3.
Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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The 2012 Citroën C3 falls short of the UK average with a 76.1% first-time pass rate, and this is a genuine concern: 44.4% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above what you'd want to see. Diesel versions are notably weaker, passing at just 74.9% compared to petrol's 77.6%, so fuel choice matters here.
At 55,000 miles average, these cars have been reasonably well-used but not thrashed, yet they're still racking up 3.59 failures per test and nearly 20 advisories each. The high advisory count signals persistent wear items and minor issues rather than catastrophic problems, but if you're considering one, budget for a pre-purchase inspection that specifically checks the suspension, brakes, and exhaust components—the usual culprits at this mileage.
The 2012 Citroen C3 has a decent first-time pass rate (76.1%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.
These stats describe 16,815 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.
What tends to go wrong
Across 16,815 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2012.
See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches
Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 16,815 Citroen C3 cars.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2.7 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
Before you buy a 2012 Citroen C3
Based on MOT data from 16,815 vehicles — here's what to check.
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Check the full MOT history.
44.4% 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. -
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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
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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
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (55%) | 9,240 | 74.9% | 3.81 |
| Petrol (45%) | 7,575 | 77.6% | 3.32 |
Colour Breakdown
Based on 310,572 Citroen C3 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.
Mileage Distribution
Most 2012 Citroen C3 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.
Half of all 2012 Citroen C3 vehicles fall between 45,264 and 75,405 miles.
2012 Citroen C3 — Still on the Road
Most 2012 Citroen C3s are still being driven.
Strong survival — 13,636 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 83% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2025.
* 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
Or browse all models: Citroen →
Compare with another model
See how the 2012 Citroen C3 stacks up against a rival.