Citroen C3 (2018)
2018 Citroen C3
CarHunch analysed 16,150 real MOT records for the 2018 Citroen C3. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2018 Citroën C3 passes its MOT first time at 86.8%, a solid 6.8 points above the UK average, with petrol versions performing slightly better at 87.1% than their diesel counterparts at 84.8%. Nearly one in five of these cars (18.9%) has recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is worth noting if you're buying used—a higher proportion than many competitors in this class.
At around 32,000 miles on the median, these cars show reasonable maintenance; the 5.7 average advisories per vehicle and 0.8 failures suggest minor wear items crop up regularly rather than major faults. If you're considering a used C3, get a pre-purchase inspection done to check brake condition and suspension components, as these tend to be the typical advisory items on this model.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2.3 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2018 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.
- 📄 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.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (88%) | 14,224 | 87.1% | 0.81 |
| Diesel (12%) | 1,926 | 84.8% | 0.79 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2018 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 2018 Citroen C3 vehicles fall between 23,735 and 41,634 miles.
2018 Citroen C3 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 14,701 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 97% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2021–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2018 Citroen C3
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
38.4%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
35.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
33.7%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
-
32.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
-
24.5%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
-
24%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
-
16.4%
Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
-
14%
Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2018. 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.