Citroen C3 Picasso MOT pass rate and common problems
77.7% of 8,677 Citroen C3 Picasso MOT tests pass.
The C3 Picasso passes its MOT 77.7% of the time — well above the average across all Citroen models, which sits at 71.7%.
At 77.7%, the Citroen C3 Picasso passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Citroen C3 Picasso?
This is the average across every Citroen C3 Picasso 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 drops sharply with age: the Citroen C3 Picasso tested at 3–6 years pass 76.1% of the time, compared with just 54.5% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 76.1% | 67 | 48,004 miles |
| 6–10 years | 79.6% | 7,516 | 45,512 miles |
| 10–15 years | 65.1% | 1,039 | 77,887 miles |
| 15+ years | 54.5% | 55 | 88,194 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Citroen C3 Picasso
The most common reason the Citroen C3 Picasso fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 54.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 54.3% | Not working |
| Tyres | 26.3% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Body, chassis, structure | 23.2% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Brakes | 20.7% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Visibility | 14.1% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Suspension | 10.5% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.3% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Steering | 3.2% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.3% | Buckle not functioning as intended |
| Road Wheels | 1.3% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Citroen C3 Picasso: what to check
These checks follow the Citroen C3 Picasso’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 Picasso comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 79.6% to 65.1%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 72.0% down to 61.5%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 54.3% of failed Citroen C3 Picasso MOTs. 36.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 6.0% at 3–6 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.
2. Tyres
Recorded in 26.3% of failed Citroen C3 Picasso MOTs. 12.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on tyres, against 4.5% at 3–6 years.
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 23.2% of failed Citroen C3 Picasso MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 14.5% of tests at 15+ 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. Brakes
Recorded in 20.7% of failed Citroen C3 Picasso MOTs. 10.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 4.5% at 3–6 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.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 14.1% of failed Citroen C3 Picasso MOTs.
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 C2 — 60.7% pass rate
- Citroen DS4 — 64.6% pass rate
- Citroen C4 Picasso — 79.3% pass rate
- Citroen DS5 — 68.8% pass rate
- Citroen 2cv — 77.3% pass rate
- Citroen Saxo — 62.4% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Citroen C3 Picasso?
- 77.7% of Citroen C3 Picasso MOT tests pass, based on 8,677 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Citroen C3 Picasso?
- The most common reason the Citroen C3 Picasso fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 54.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Citroen C3 Picasso?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Citroen C3 Picasso are lights and electrics; tyres; bodywork and corrosion. 36.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 6.0% at 3–6 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Citroen C3 Picasso?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; tyres; bodywork and corrosion; brakes; 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 Picasso'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.