How much does a 2003 CITROEN C2 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,157 (£180/month), including £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

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

The 2003 CITROEN C2 has a 69% MOT pass rate based on 273 tests in 2026. This ranks 320 out of 445 cars from 2003.

Which year CITROEN C2 is most reliable?

The 2007 CITROEN C2 has the highest MOT pass rate at 71%. The least reliable year is 2004 at 67%.

CITROEN C2 (2003)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2003 CITROEN C2?

The average mileage for a 2003 CITROEN C2 is 83,097 miles, which is significantly below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-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 273 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,157

£180/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1587cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2157/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

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1587cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,157

Per month£180/mo

Per week£41/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 23 years old, 69% of CITROEN C2s from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 273 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 83,097 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars320th of 445(top 72%)

Rank among CITROEN models489th of 599(top 82%)

vs national average-13%(82% avg)

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

vs CITROEN average-10%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

83,097

Average miles

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 CITROEN C2 has 83,097 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-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 2007 model with a 71% MOT pass rate, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 67%. The 2003 sits between the two at 69%.

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 MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£1,827/year

71%

+2%

FORD FOCUS

2005 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,827/year

71%

+2%

FORD FIESTA

2003 · 1388cc Petrol

£1,722/year

71%

+2%

TOYOTA YARIS

2005 · 1299cc Petrol

£1,722/year

73%

+4%

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About the 2003 CITROEN C2

The 2003 CITROEN C2 is a small family car with a 1587cc petrol engine. 273 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 83,097 miles at 23 years old, CITROEN C2 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.

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 £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2003 CITROEN C2?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,157 (£180/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 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

Based on the 2003 CITROEN C2'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.

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 annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
CITROEN C2(2003)	69%	£1137	£265	Grp 12-25	£2157
MINI MINI(2005)	71%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£330
FORD FOCUS(2005)	71%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£330
FORD FIESTA(2003)	71%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£435
TOYOTA YARIS(2005)	73%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£435

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.