Is the 2009 CITROEN C1 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 72% of CITROEN C1s from 2009 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 21,467 tests. That's 10 points below the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2009 CITROEN C1 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,530 (£128/month), including £955 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2009 CITROEN C1?

The 2009 CITROEN C1 has a 72% MOT pass rate based on 21,467 tests in 2026. This ranks 396 out of 575 cars from 2009.

Which year CITROEN C1 is most reliable?

The 2021 CITROEN C1 has the highest MOT pass rate at 97%. The least reliable year is 2005 at 69%.

CITROEN C1 (2009)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2009 CITROEN C1?

The average mileage for a 2009 CITROEN C1 is 85,279 miles, which is below the expected 125,800 miles for a 17-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 21,467 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,530

£128/month

MOT Pass Rate

72%

Average

Road Tax

£20

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

998cc Petrol

Check Carefully

72% pass rate, £1530/year to run. 10 points below average.

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Petrol998cc17 years old21,467 tests85k 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

£500

Total per year£1,530

Per month£128/mo

Per week£29/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

72% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 10 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the CITROEN brand average of 79%.

At 17 years old, 72% of CITROEN C1s from 2009 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 21,467 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 85,279 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2009 cars396th of 575(top 69%)

Rank among CITROEN models395th of 599(top 66%)

vs national average-10%(82% avg)

vs 2009 cars average-3%(75% avg)

vs CITROEN average-7%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

85,279

Average miles

125,800

Expected for age

The average 2009 CITROEN C1 has 85,279 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 125,800 miles for a 17-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%. The 2009 sits between the two at 72%.

CITROEN C1 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	97%	1,007	14,721 mi
2020	92%	4,973	20,126 mi
2019	92%	7,609	25,594 mi
2018	90%	10,911	31,463 mi
2017	87%	14,184	38,152 mi
2016	86%	28,817	46,713 mi
2015	85%	28,726	52,488 mi
2014	83%	22,356	57,198 mi
2013	80%	23,281	63,889 mi
2012	79%	23,468	69,673 mi
2011	77%	23,890	75,624 mi
2010	75%	22,959	78,955 mi
2009	72%	21,467	85,279 mi
2008	70%	19,249	90,280 mi
2007	69%	13,771	91,524 mi
2006	69%	8,701	96,037 mi
2005	69%	1,262	95,875 mi

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About the 2009 CITROEN C1

The 2009 CITROEN C1 is a city car with a 998cc petrol engine. 21,467 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2009, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 85,279 miles at 17 years old, CITROEN C1 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2009 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 2009 CITROEN C1?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,530 (£128/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 72% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 2009 CITROEN C1

At 17 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. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 97%. With 21,467 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2009 CITROEN C1's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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.