CarCostCheck

Citroen C1 (2011)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 23,890 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,750

£146/month

MOT Pass Rate

77%

Average

Road Tax

£20

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

998cc Petrol

Check Carefully

77% pass rate, £1,750/year to run. 5 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft
£4.99

Check a specific Citroen C1

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Petrol998cc15 years old23,890 tests76k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 998cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175
Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£20
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£1,750
Per month£146/mo
Per week£34/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

77% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data.

77% of MOT tests on Citroen C1s from 2011 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 13 years old. That's based on 23,890 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 75,624 miles.

Got a Citroen C1 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2011 models375th of 595(bottom half)
Rank among Citroen models314th of 589(bottom half)
vs average of all models-5%(82% avg)
vs 2011 models average+0%(77% avg)
vs Citroen average-2%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

75,624

Average miles

vs

96,200

Expected for age

The average 2011 Citroen C1 had 75,624 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 96,200 miles for a 13-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific Citroen C1?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 97%, while the 2005 model has the lowest at 69%. The 2011 scores 77%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

Similar Cars to Consider

Check a Specific Citroen C1

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 2011 Citroen C1

The 2011 Citroen C1 is a city car. Our records list a 998cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 23,890 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. Among all models from 2011, the average MOT pass rate is 77%, and this model matches that benchmark.

With an average of 75,624 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Citroen C1 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2011 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 £1,175 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2011 Citroen C1?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,750 (£146/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 77% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Citroen C1 Reliability Trend

Newer Citroen C1s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 16 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2011 Citroen C1

At 15 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 23,890 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

What the 2011 Citroen C1 Fails Its MOT On

Share of the 5,199 MOT tests on the 2011 Citroen C1 that failed at the first attempt in 2025, next to all cars and vans of the same age.

  • Lights and electrics54%

    Same age: 45%

  • Brakes31%

    Same age: 23% (fails on this more often)

  • Suspension26%

    Same age: 40% (fails on this less often)

  • Tyres17%

    Same age: 19%

DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2025; a test that failed on two areas counts in both. How we count it · Citroen C1 reliability, common problems and years to avoid

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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.

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 2011 Citroen C1 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrEst. Ins. GroupTotal/yr
Citroen C1(2011)77%£1,175£20Grp 1-8£1,750
Vauxhall Corsa(2012)76%£1,398£200Grp 8-20£2,153+£403
Volkswagen Polo(2011)75%£1,175£170Grp 5-15£1,900+£150
Peugeot 208(2013)75%£1,175£20Grp 1-8£1,750same
Peugeot 207(2010)70%£1,398£200Grp 8-20£2,153+£403

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2011 Citroen C1

Is the 2011 Citroen C1 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 77% of MOT tests on 2011 Citroen C1s ended in a pass, from 23,890 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 5 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2011 Citroen C1 cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,750 a year (£146 a month): £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2011 Citroen C1?

77% of 23,890 MOT tests on the 2011 Citroen C1 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 375th of 595 models first registered in 2011 (bottom half).

Which year Citroen C1 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 Citroen C1 has the highest MOT pass rate at 97% and the 2005 the lowest at 69%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2011 Citroen C1?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2011 Citroen C1 is 75,624 miles, which is below the expected 96,200 miles for a 13-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Related Citroen Models

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

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Citroen C1.

Check a specific Citroen C1

Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Premium History Check

Buying a Citroen C1? Our premium check covers:

  • Stolen check (PNC)
  • Outstanding finance
  • Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
  • Previous owners count
Just £4.99 per check

With outstanding finance included

Share this page

X