CITROEN C3 (2019)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 21,008 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,405
£117/month
MOT Pass Rate
90%
Excellent
Road Tax
£195
Flat rate/year
Insurance
Grp 5-15
1199cc Petrol
Great Choice
90% pass rate, £1405/year to run. 8 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~50 mpg
Flat rate (post-2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
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
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 8 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the CITROEN brand average of 79%.
At 7 years old, 90% of CITROEN C3s from 2019 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 21,008 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 34,490 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
34,490
Average miles
51,800
Expected for age
The average 2019 CITROEN C3 has 34,490 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 51,800 miles for a 7-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 2019 sits between the two at 90%.
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
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About the 2019 CITROEN C3
The 2019 CITROEN C3 is a city car with a 1199cc petrol engine. 21,008 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2019, the average MOT pass rate is 90%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.
With an average of 34,490 miles at 7 years old, CITROEN C3 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2019 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 £955 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 2019 CITROEN C3?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,405 (£117/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 90% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
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 2019 CITROEN C3
At 7 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 21,008 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2019 CITROEN C3's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Coil Pack Failure
Medium riskSmaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.
Suspension Wear
Medium riskShock 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 riskAlways 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 2019 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(2019) | 90% | £955 | £195 | Grp 5-15 | £1405 |
| FORD FIESTA(2018) | 90% | £955 | £190 | Grp 1-8 | £1400-£5 |
| FORD FOCUS(2017) | 89% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1732+£327 |
| NISSAN QASHQAI(2017) | 86% | £955 | £190 | Grp 5-15 | £1550+£145 |
| VAUXHALL CORSA(2017) | 82% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 8-20 | £1732+£327 |
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.
Related Citroen Models
Explore other Citroen cars or similar models in the same category.
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CITROEN C1
2016 · 998cc Petrol
FORD FIESTA
2018 · 998cc Petrol
FORD FOCUS
2017 · 1596cc Petrol
NISSAN QASHQAI
2017 · 1200cc Petrol
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