CarCostCheck

CITROEN C3 PICASSO (2009)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 221 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,825

£152/month

MOT Pass Rate

67%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£165

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1560cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

67% pass rate, £1825/year to run. 15 points below average.

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Diesel1560cc17 years old221 tests90k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1560cc)

~55 mpg

£905
Road Tax

Based on 1560cc

£165
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£1,825
Per month£152/mo
Per week£35/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

67% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 15 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the CITROEN brand average of 79%.

At 17 years old, 67% of CITROEN C3 PICASSOs from 2009 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 221 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 89,914 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2009 cars535th of 575(top 93%)
Rank among CITROEN models530th of 599(top 88%)
vs national average-15%(82% avg)
vs 2009 cars average-8%(75% avg)
vs CITROEN average-12%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

89,914

Average miles

vs

125,800

Expected for age

The average 2009 CITROEN C3 PICASSO has 89,914 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 125,800 miles for a 17-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 2017 model with a 84% MOT pass rate, while the 2010 model has the lowest at 66%. The 2009 sits between the two at 67%.

CITROEN C3 PICASSO by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201980%7949,562 mi
201784%5,22444,016 mi
201681%3,24647,480 mi
201583%43556,082 mi
201480%35260,683 mi
201381%33372,898 mi
201276%29372,293 mi
201171%21387,099 mi
201066%27899,081 mi
200967%22189,914 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2009 CITROEN C3 PICASSO

The 2009 CITROEN C3 PICASSO is a small family car with a 1560cc diesel engine. 221 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 93% of 2009 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 89,914 miles at 17 years old, CITROEN C3 PICASSO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2009 CITROEN C3 PICASSO Fuel Costs

The 1560cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 55 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £905 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (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 PICASSO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,825 152/month), broken down as £905 fuel, £165 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 67% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

CITROEN C3 PICASSO Reliability Trend

Newer CITROEN C3 PICASSOs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 9 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2009 CITROEN C3 PICASSO

At 17 years old, the CITROEN C3 PICASSO 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 2017 model has the highest pass rate at 84%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2009 CITROEN C3 PICASSO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 67% 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 2009 CITROEN C3 PICASSO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
CITROEN C3 PICASSO(2009)67%£905£165Grp 12-25£1825
FORD FIESTA(2009)72%£905£30Grp 8-20£1490-£335
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2011)78%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£98
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2010)74%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£98
VAUXHALL CORSA(2009)73%£905£30Grp 8-20£1490-£335

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.

Related Guides

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