Citroen C3 (2009)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 18,371 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,944

£162/month

MOT Pass Rate

70%

Average

Road Tax

£170

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1398cc Diesel

Check Carefully

70% pass rate, £1,944/year to run. 12 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific Citroen C3

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Diesel1398cc17 years old18,371 tests90k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1398cc)

~55 mpg

£1,219

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£170

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£1,944

Per month£162/mo

Per week£37/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p 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

70% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 12 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Citroen brand average of 79%.

70% of MOT tests on Citroen C3s from 2009 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 15 years old. That's based on 18,371 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 90,369 miles.

Got a Citroen C3 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2009 models452nd of 555(bottom 19%)

Rank among Citroen models438th of 589(bottom half)

vs average of all models-12%(82% avg)

vs 2009 models average-4%(74% avg)

vs Citroen average-9%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

90,369

Average miles

111,000

Expected for age

The average 2009 Citroen C3 had 90,369 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 111,000 miles for a 15-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

Looking at a specific Citroen C3?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 95%, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 66%. The 2009 scores 70%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

2009 · 1398cc Diesel

£1,944/year

72%

+2%

Volkswagen Golf

2011 · 1896cc Diesel

£2,227/year

78%

+8%

Vauxhall Corsa

2009 · 1248cc Diesel

£1,944/year

73%

+3%

Vauxhall Astra

2011 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,944/year

76%

+6%

Check a Specific Citroen C3

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2009 Citroen C3

The 2009 Citroen C3 is a small family car. Our records list a 1398cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 18,371 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 19% of 2009 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 90,369 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Citroen C3 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2009 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 £1,219 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; 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 2009 Citroen C3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,944 (£162/month), broken down as £1,219 fuel, £170 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 70% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Citroen C3 Reliability Trend

Newer Citroen C3s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 15 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2009 Citroen C3

At 17 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 18,371 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

What the 2009 Citroen C3 Fails Its MOT On

Share of the 4,098 MOT tests on the 2009 Citroen C3 that failed at the first attempt in 2025, next to all cars and vans of the same age.

Lights and electrics52%
Same age: 47%
Suspension40%
Same age: 41%
Body, chassis and structure25%
Same age: 16% (fails on this more often)
Brakes19%
Same age: 24% (fails on this less often)

DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2025; a test that failed on two areas counts in both. How we count it · Citroen C3 reliability, common problems and years to avoid

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.

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 90k 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.

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 2009 Citroen C3 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 C3(2009)	70%	£1,219	£170	Grp 8-20	£1,944
Ford Fiesta(2009)	72%	£1,219	£170	Grp 8-20	£1,944same
Volkswagen Golf(2011)	78%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,227+£283
Vauxhall Corsa(2009)	73%	£1,219	£170	Grp 8-20	£1,944same
Vauxhall Astra(2011)	76%	£1,219	£170	Grp 12-25	£1,944same

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 2009 Citroen C3

Is the 2009 Citroen C3 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 70% of MOT tests on 2009 Citroen C3s ended in a pass, from 18,371 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 12 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2009 Citroen C3 cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,944 a year (£162 a month): £1,219 fuel, £170 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2009 Citroen C3?

70% of 18,371 MOT tests on the 2009 Citroen C3 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 452nd of 555 models first registered in 2009 (bottom 19%).

Which year Citroen C3 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 Citroen C3 has the highest MOT pass rate at 95% and the 2003 the lowest at 66%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2009 Citroen C3?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2009 Citroen C3 is 90,369 miles, which is in line with the expected 111,000 miles for a 15-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.