How much does a 2008 CITROEN C3 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,087 (£174/month), including £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2008 CITROEN C3?

The 2008 CITROEN C3 has a 69% MOT pass rate based on 9,548 tests in 2026. This ranks 471 out of 589 cars from 2008.

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 (2008)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2008 CITROEN C3?

The average mileage for a 2008 CITROEN C3 is 82,491 miles, which is below the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-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 9,548 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,087

£174/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1398cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2087/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Petrol1398cc18 years old9,548 tests82k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1398cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1398cc

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,087

Per month£174/mo

Per week£40/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 18 years old, 69% of CITROEN C3s from 2008 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 9,548 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 82,491 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2008 cars471th of 589(top 80%)

Rank among CITROEN models474th of 599(top 79%)

vs national average-13%(82% avg)

vs 2008 cars average-4%(73% avg)

vs CITROEN average-10%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

82,491

Average miles

133,200

Expected for age

The average 2008 CITROEN C3 has 82,491 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-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 2008 sits between the two at 69%.

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

2008 · 1388cc Petrol

£1,722/year

72%

+3%

FORD FOCUS

2009 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,827/year

74%

+5%

VAUXHALL CORSA

2010 · 1398cc Petrol

£1,722/year

74%

+5%

NISSAN QASHQAI

2010 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,027/year

67%

-2%

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About the 2008 CITROEN C3

The 2008 CITROEN C3 is a small family car with a 1398cc petrol engine. 9,548 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 80% of 2008 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 82,491 miles at 18 years old, CITROEN C3 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2008 CITROEN C3 Fuel Costs

The 1398cc 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 2008 CITROEN C3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,087 (£174/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 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 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 2008 CITROEN C3

At 18 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%. With 9,548 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2008 CITROEN C3'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 82k 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 2008 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(2008)	69%	£1137	£195	Grp 8-20	£2087
FORD FIESTA(2008)	72%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£365
FORD FOCUS(2009)	74%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£260
VAUXHALL CORSA(2010)	74%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£365
NISSAN QASHQAI(2010)	67%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£2027-£60

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.