CarCostCheck

CITROEN C1 (2005)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 1,262 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,730

£144/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£20

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

998cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £1730/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Petrol998cc21 years old1,262 tests96k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 998cc)

~50 mpg

£955
Road Tax

Based on 998cc

£20
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£1,730
Per month£144/mo
Per week£33/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the CITROEN brand average of 79%.

At 21 years old, 69% of CITROEN C1s from 2005 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,262 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 95,875 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2005 cars393th of 526(top 75%)
Rank among CITROEN models482th of 599(top 80%)
vs national average-13%(82% avg)
vs 2005 cars average-3%(72% avg)
vs CITROEN average-10%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

95,875

Average miles

vs

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2005 CITROEN C1 has 95,875 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2021 model with a 97% MOT pass rate, while the 2005 model has the lowest at 69%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

CITROEN C1 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202197%1,00714,721 mi
202092%4,97320,126 mi
201992%7,60925,594 mi
201890%10,91131,463 mi
201787%14,18438,152 mi
201686%28,81746,713 mi
201585%28,72652,488 mi
201483%22,35657,198 mi
201380%23,28163,889 mi
201279%23,46869,673 mi
201177%23,89075,624 mi
201075%22,95978,955 mi
200972%21,46785,279 mi
200870%19,24990,280 mi
200769%13,77191,524 mi
200669%8,70196,037 mi
200569%1,26295,875 mi

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About the 2005 CITROEN C1

The 2005 CITROEN C1 is a city car with a 998cc petrol engine. 1,262 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2005, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 95,875 miles at 21 years old, CITROEN C1 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2005 CITROEN C1 Fuel Costs

The modest 998cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £955 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2005 CITROEN C1?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,730 144/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

CITROEN C1 Reliability Trend

Newer CITROEN C1s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 16 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2005 CITROEN C1

At 21 years old, the CITROEN C1 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2005 CITROEN C1's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 96k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 69% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2005 CITROEN C1 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
CITROEN C1(2005)69%£955£20Grp 1-8£1730
PEUGEOT 207(2007)69%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1922+£192
HONDA JAZZ(2007)72%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£8
VAUXHALL CORSA(2006)68%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1922+£192
NISSAN MICRA(2006)74%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£8

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Citroen Models

Explore other Citroen cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Citroen C1.

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