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Citroen C1 Common Problems, Faults & Repair Costs (2026)

Based on official DVSA MOT test data. View the most common MOT failure categories, pass rates, and estimated repair costs for the Citroen C1 (2005–2021).

MOT Pass Rate

80.2%1.8% below national avg (82%)

Reliability rating: Good — based on approx. 35,000 tests

Dangerous Defects

1.70%

Moderate risk

Retest Rate

13.5%

of failed tests need a retest

Top MOT Failure Categories

1

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

Est. repair: £40–£200

15.5%
2

Suspension

Est. repair: £120–£450

12.8%
3

Brakes

Est. repair: £100–£350

11.5%
4

Tyres

Est. repair: £50–£120 per tyre

10.5%
5

Exhaust, fuel and emissions

Est. repair: £40–£200

7.8%

Where Faults Occur

32.0%

Front

27.0%

Rear

19.0%

Offside

Mileage Benchmarks

At 3 years

14,000 mi

At 5 years

24,000 mi

At 10 years

46,000 mi

Significantly higher or lower mileage than these benchmarks may indicate unusual usage patterns. Check the full MOT history for mileage consistency.

Is a Citroen C1 a Good Buy?

The Citroen C1 demonstrates above-average reliability based on MOT test data, with a 80.2% pass rate. This places it 1.8% above the national average, suggesting lower ongoing maintenance costs compared to many competitors.

While no car is without faults, lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues are the most common concern, affecting approximately 15.5% of failed tests. These tend to be relatively affordable to fix at £30–£150.

Citroen C1 MOT Check & History

View detailed MOT pass rates by year, mileage benchmarks, and full test history data for the Citroen C1.

View Citroen C1 MOT Data

Check a Specific Citroen C1

Enter a registration number to view the full MOT history for any Citroen C1.

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Other Citroen Models

Citroen C3

76.8%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Citroen C4

75.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Citroen Berlingo

73.8%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Citroen C3 Aircross

81.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Citroen C5 Aircross

82.8%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Citroen C4 Cactus

79.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

View all Citroen models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common MOT faults on a Citroen C1?
The top MOT failure on the Citroen C1 is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, accounting for approximately 15.5% of all failures. Other common issues include suspension and brakes.
What is the Citroen C1 MOT pass rate?
The Citroen C1 has an estimated MOT pass rate of 80.2%, which is 1.8% below the national average of 82%. This rates the Citroen C1 as "Good" for MOT reliability.
Is the Citroen C1 reliable?
Based on DVSA MOT data, the Citroen C1 has a good reliability record with a 80.2% pass rate. It has a dangerous defect rate of 1.70% and a retest rate of 13.5%.
How much does it cost to fix common Citroen C1 MOT failures?
Typical repair costs for Citroen C1 MOT failures range from £30–£200 for lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues to £120–£450 for suspension problems. Prices are estimates based on typical UK independent garage rates.
What mileage should a Citroen C1 have?
Based on MOT test data, the average Citroen C1 covers approximately 14,000 mi by 3 years, 24,000 mi by 5 years, and 46,000 mi by 10 years. Significantly higher or lower mileage may warrant closer inspection.
Should I buy a used Citroen C1?
The Citroen C1 is generally a solid choice based on MOT data. Check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before purchasing, paying particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues and mileage consistency.
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