Is the 2020 CITROEN C1 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 92% of CITROEN C1s from 2020 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 4,973 tests. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2020 CITROEN C1 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,405 (£117/month), including £955 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2020 CITROEN C1?

The 2020 CITROEN C1 has a 92% MOT pass rate based on 4,973 tests in 2026. This ranks 1246 out of 2596 cars from 2020.

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 (2020)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2020 CITROEN C1?

The average mileage for a 2020 CITROEN C1 is 20,126 miles, which is significantly below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 4,973 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,405

£117/month

MOT Pass Rate

92%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

998cc Petrol

Great Choice

92% pass rate, £1405/year to run. 10 points above average.

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Petrol998cc6 years old4,973 tests20k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 998cc)

~50 mpg

£955

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,405

Per month£117/mo

Per week£27/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

92% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the CITROEN brand average of 79%.

At 6 years old, 92% of CITROEN C1s from 2020 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 4,973 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 20,126 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2020 cars1246th of 2,596(top 48%)

Rank among CITROEN models71th of 599(top 12%)

vs national average+10%(82% avg)

vs 2020 cars average+0%(92% avg)

vs CITROEN average+13%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

20,126

Average miles

44,400

Expected for age

The average 2020 CITROEN C1 has 20,126 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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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 2020 sits between the two at 92%.

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

Similar Cars to Consider

FORD FIESTA

2018 · 998cc Petrol

£1,400/year

90%

-2%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

2019 · 1498cc Petrol

£1,582/year

92%

same

VAUXHALL CORSA

2018 · 1398cc Petrol

£1,732/year

85%

-7%

NISSAN QASHQAI

2018 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,550/year

87%

-5%

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About the 2020 CITROEN C1

The 2020 CITROEN C1 is a city car with a 998cc petrol engine. 4,973 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2020, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 20,126 miles at 6 years old, CITROEN C1 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2020 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 2020 CITROEN C1?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,405 (£117/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 92% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

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 2020 CITROEN C1

At 6 years old, the CITROEN C1 offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 97%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2020 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.

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 2020 CITROEN C1 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
CITROEN C1(2020)	92%	£955	£195	Grp 1-8	£1405
FORD FIESTA(2018)	90%	£955	£190	Grp 1-8	£1400-£5
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019)	92%	£1137	£190	Grp 12-25	£1582+£177
VAUXHALL CORSA(2018)	85%	£1137	£190	Grp 8-20	£1732+£327
NISSAN QASHQAI(2018)	87%	£955	£190	Grp 5-15	£1550+£145

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.