Citroen C2 (2003)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 273 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,428

£202/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1587cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2,428/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Petrol1587cc23 years old273 tests83k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1587cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,428

Per month£202/mo

Per week£47/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

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Citroen brand average of 79%.

69% of MOT tests on Citroen C2s from 2003 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 21 years old. That's based on 273 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 83,097 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 models306th of 429(bottom half)

Rank among Citroen models479th of 589(bottom 19%)

vs average of all models-13%(82% avg)

vs 2003 models average-3%(72% avg)

vs Citroen average-10%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

83,097

Average miles

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2003 Citroen C2 had 83,097 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, 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?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2007 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 71%, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 67%. The 2003 scores 69%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Citroen C2 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2010	71%	557	82,928 mi
2009	70%	4,221	83,174 mi
2008	71%	3,435	83,883 mi
2007	71%	3,878	84,901 mi
2006	69%	3,401	86,579 mi
2005	68%	3,314	89,131 mi
2004	67%	2,532	87,915 mi
2003	69%	273	83,097 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

+2%

Ford Focus

2005 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

+2%

Ford Fiesta

2003 · 1388cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

+2%

Toyota Yaris

2005 · 1299cc Petrol

£2,153/year

73%

+4%

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About the 2003 Citroen C2

The 2003 Citroen C2 is a small family car. Our records list a 1587cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 273 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 83,097 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Citroen C2 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2003 Citroen C2 Fuel Costs

The 1587cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 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 2003 Citroen C2?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,428 (£202/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £275 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 C2 Reliability Trend

The Citroen C2 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 3 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2003 Citroen C2

At 23 years old, the Citroen C2 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 2007 model has the highest pass rate at 71%.

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.

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 83k 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 2003 Citroen C2 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Citroen C2(2003)	69%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,428
MINI(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£200
Ford Focus(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£200
Ford Fiesta(2003)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£275
Toyota Yaris(2005)	73%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£275

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 2003 Citroen C2

Is the 2003 Citroen C2 reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 69% of MOT tests on 2003 Citroen C2s ended in a pass, from 273 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2003 Citroen C2 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,428 a year (£202 a month): £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Citroen C2?

69% of 273 MOT tests on the 2003 Citroen C2 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 306th of 429 models first registered in 2003 (bottom half).

Which year Citroen C2 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2007 Citroen C2 has the highest MOT pass rate at 71% and the 2004 the lowest at 67%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2003 Citroen C2?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2003 Citroen C2 is 83,097 miles, 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.