How much does a 2002 CITROEN C3 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,825 (£152/month), including £905 fuel, £165 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2002 CITROEN C3?

The 2002 CITROEN C3 has a 67% MOT pass rate based on 1,745 tests in 2026. This ranks 337 out of 403 cars from 2002.

Which year CITROEN C3 is most reliable?

The 2021 CITROEN C3 has the highest MOT pass rate at 95%. The least reliable year is 2003 at 66%.

CITROEN C3 (2002)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2002 CITROEN C3?

The average mileage for a 2002 CITROEN C3 is 92,973 miles, which is below the expected 177,600 miles for a 24-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 1,745 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,825

£152/month

MOT Pass Rate

67%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£165

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1398cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

67% pass rate, £1825/year to run. 15 points below average.

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Diesel1398cc24 years old1,745 tests93k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1398cc)

~55 mpg

£905

Road Tax

Based on 1398cc

£165

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£1,825

Per month£152/mo

Per week£35/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

67% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 15 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the CITROEN brand average of 79%.

At 24 years old, 67% of CITROEN C3s from 2002 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,745 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 92,973 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2002 cars337th of 403(top 84%)

Rank among CITROEN models526th of 599(top 88%)

vs national average-15%(82% avg)

vs 2002 cars average-6%(73% avg)

vs CITROEN average-12%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

92,973

Average miles

177,600

Expected for age

The average 2002 CITROEN C3 has 92,973 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 177,600 miles for a 24-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 95% MOT pass rate, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 66%. The 2002 sits between the two at 67%.

CITROEN C3 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	95%	2,263	22,520 mi
2020	92%	8,971	27,660 mi
2019	90%	21,008	34,490 mi
2018	87%	27,579	42,489 mi
2017	83%	26,229	48,621 mi
2016	81%	14,550	49,050 mi
2015	80%	20,260	57,154 mi
2014	78%	23,397	63,397 mi
2013	75%	23,764	72,482 mi
2012	74%	27,170	78,633 mi
2011	72%	28,478	86,832 mi
2010	70%	34,884	92,470 mi
2009	70%	18,371	90,369 mi
2008	69%	9,548	82,491 mi
2007	69%	10,339	83,180 mi
2006	69%	9,119	82,871 mi
2005	68%	7,830	85,484 mi
2004	68%	6,480	84,830 mi
2003	66%	5,188	87,266 mi
2002	67%	1,745	92,973 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

FORD FIESTA

2004 · 1399cc Diesel

£1,490/year

71%

+4%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

2003 · 1896cc Diesel

£1,727/year

73%

+6%

HONDA CIVIC

2004 · 1686cc Diesel

£1,727/year

72%

+5%

VAUXHALL ASTRA

2004 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,595/year

71%

+4%

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About the 2002 CITROEN C3

The 2002 CITROEN C3 is a small family car with a 1398cc diesel engine. 1,745 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 84% of 2002 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 92,973 miles at 24 years old, CITROEN C3 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2002 CITROEN C3 Fuel Costs

The 1398cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 55 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £905 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2002 CITROEN C3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,825 (£152/month), broken down as £905 fuel, £165 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 67% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

CITROEN C3 Reliability Trend

Newer CITROEN C3s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 15 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2002 CITROEN C3

At 24 years old, the CITROEN C3 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 95%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2002 CITROEN C3's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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 93k 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 67% 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 2002 CITROEN C3 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
CITROEN C3(2002)	67%	£905	£165	Grp 8-20	£1825
FORD FIESTA(2004)	71%	£905	£30	Grp 8-20	£1490-£335
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2003)	73%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727-£98
HONDA CIVIC(2004)	72%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727-£98
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2004)	71%	£905	£135	Grp 12-25	£1595-£230

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.