Citroen C3 Aircross MOT pass rate and common problems
88.0% of 39,564 Citroen C3 Aircross MOT tests pass.
The C3 Aircross passes its MOT 88.0% of the time — well above the average across all Citroen models, which sits at 71.7%.
The Citroen C3 Aircross passes its MOT 88.0% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Citroen C3 Aircross?
This is the average across every Citroen C3 Aircross in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Citroen’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 92.3% at 0–3 years to 82.9% at 6–10 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 92.3% | 3,385 | 19,347 miles |
| 3–6 years | 88.4% | 30,708 | 32,209 miles |
| 6–10 years | 82.9% | 5,471 | 42,274 miles |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Citroen C3 Aircross
The most common reason the Citroen C3 Aircross fails its MOT is brakes — present in 40.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Less than 1.5 mm thick".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 40.0% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 29.2% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Body, chassis, structure | 23.7% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 19.2% | Too low |
| Visibility | 9.0% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.2% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Suspension | 5.0% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.3% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.7% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Steering | 0.6% | Ball joint has excessive play |
Buying a used Citroen C3 Aircross: what to check
These checks follow the Citroen C3 Aircross’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Citroen C3 Aircross comes between 3–6 years and 6–10 years old, from 88.4% to 82.9%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 91.8% down to 84.9%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Brakes
Recorded in 40.0% of failed Citroen C3 Aircross MOTs. 8.0% of tests at 6–10 years failed on brakes, against 3.5% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
2. Tyres
Recorded in 29.2% of failed Citroen C3 Aircross MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
3. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 23.7% of failed Citroen C3 Aircross MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 7.7% of tests at 6–10 years failed on bodywork and corrosion.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
4. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 19.2% of failed Citroen C3 Aircross MOTs. 4.1% of tests at 6–10 years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.7% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 9.0% of failed Citroen C3 Aircross MOTs. 2.3% of tests at 6–10 years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 0.9% at 0–3 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Citroen service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Citroen models
- Citroen C4 — 67.6% pass rate
- Citroen DS3 — 63.0% pass rate
- Citroen Dispatch — 69.7% pass rate
- Citroen Xsara — 57.4% pass rate
- Citroen C5 — 81.6% pass rate
- Citroen C4 Cactus — 80.5% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Citroen C3 Aircross?
- 88.0% of Citroen C3 Aircross MOT tests pass, based on 39,564 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Citroen C3 Aircross?
- The most common reason the Citroen C3 Aircross fails its MOT is brakes — present in 40.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Less than 1.5 mm thick".
- What are the common problems with the Citroen C3 Aircross?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Citroen C3 Aircross are brakes; tyres; bodywork and corrosion. 8.0% of tests at 6–10 years failed on brakes, against 3.5% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Citroen C3 Aircross?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: brakes; tyres; bodywork and corrosion; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Citroen C3 Aircross's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Citroen service history guide for how to check and keep one.