Citroen C3 (2012)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 27,170 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,228

£186/month

MOT Pass Rate

74%

Average

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1560cc Petrol

Check Carefully

74% pass rate, £2,228/year to run. 8 points below average.

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Petrol1560cc14 years old27,170 tests79k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1560cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,228

Per month£186/mo

Per week£43/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

74% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 8 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Citroen brand average of 79%.

74% of MOT tests on Citroen C3s from 2012 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 12 years old. That's based on 27,170 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 78,633 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 models535th of 650(bottom 18%)

Rank among Citroen models357th of 589(bottom half)

vs average of all models-8%(82% avg)

vs 2012 models average-4%(78% avg)

vs Citroen average-5%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

78,633

Average miles

88,800

Expected for age

The average 2012 Citroen C3 had 78,633 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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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 2012 scores 74%. 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

Vauxhall Corsa

2014 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

76%

+2%

Ford Focus

2013 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

78%

+4%

Nissan Qashqai

2013 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,228/year

72%

-2%

Volkswagen Polo

2011 · 1198cc Petrol

£1,900/year

75%

+1%

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About the 2012 Citroen C3

The 2012 Citroen C3 is a small family car. Our records list a 1560cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 27,170 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 18% of 2012 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 78,633 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Citroen C3 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2012 Citroen C3 Fuel Costs

The 1560cc 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 2012 Citroen C3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,228 (£186/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 74% 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 2012 Citroen C3

At 14 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 27,170 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

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.

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 2012 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(2012)	74%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228
Vauxhall Corsa(2014)	76%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£75
Ford Focus(2013)	78%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228same
Nissan Qashqai(2013)	72%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228same
Volkswagen Polo(2011)	75%	£1,175	£170	Grp 5-15	£1,900-£328

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 2012 Citroen C3

Is the 2012 Citroen C3 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 74% of MOT tests on 2012 Citroen C3s ended in a pass, from 27,170 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 8 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2012 Citroen C3 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,228 a year (£186 a month): £1,398 fuel, £275 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 2012 Citroen C3?

74% of 27,170 MOT tests on the 2012 Citroen C3 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 535th of 650 models first registered in 2012 (bottom 18%).

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 2012 Citroen C3?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2012 Citroen C3 is 78,633 miles, which is in line with the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.