Citroen C3 (2017)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 26,229 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,780

£148/month

MOT Pass Rate

83%

Good

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 5-15

1199cc Petrol

Solid Option

83% pass rate, £1,780/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

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Petrol1199cc9 years old26,229 tests49k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1199cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,780

Per month£148/mo

Per week£34/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. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

83% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Citroen brand average of 79%.

83% of MOT tests on Citroen C3s from 2017 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 7 years old. That's based on 26,229 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 48,621 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2017 models433rd of 540(bottom 20%)

Rank among Citroen models230th of 589(top half)

vs average of all models+1%(82% avg)

vs 2017 models average-4%(87% avg)

vs Citroen average+4%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

48,621

Average miles

51,800

Expected for age

The average 2017 Citroen C3 had 48,621 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 51,800 miles for a 7-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 2017 scores 83%. 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

2015 · 998cc Petrol

£1,600/year

81%

-2%

Vauxhall Corsa

2015 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

78%

-5%

Ford Focus

2015 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,078/year

85%

+2%

Nissan Qashqai

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,780/year

86%

+3%

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About the 2017 Citroen C3

The 2017 Citroen C3 is a city car. Our records list a 1199cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 26,229 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 20% of 2017 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 48,621 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Citroen C3 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2017 Citroen C3 Fuel Costs

The modest 1199cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 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 2017 Citroen C3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,780 (£148/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 83% 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 2017 Citroen C3

At 9 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 95%. With 26,229 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.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

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 2017 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(2017)	83%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780
Ford Fiesta(2015)	81%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,600-£180
Vauxhall Corsa(2015)	78%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£373
Ford Focus(2015)	85%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,078+£298
Nissan Qashqai(2017)	86%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780same

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 2017 Citroen C3

Is the 2017 Citroen C3 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 83% of MOT tests on 2017 Citroen C3s ended in a pass, from 26,229 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 1 point above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2017 Citroen C3 cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,780 a year (£148 a month): £1,175 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2017 Citroen C3?

83% of 26,229 MOT tests on the 2017 Citroen C3 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 433rd of 540 models first registered in 2017 (bottom 20%).

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 2017 Citroen C3?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2017 Citroen C3 is 48,621 miles, which is in line with the expected 51,800 miles for a 7-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.