Citroen C3 Picasso (2012)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 293 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,228

£186/month

MOT Pass Rate

76%

Average

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1598cc Petrol

Check Carefully

76% pass rate, £2,228/year to run. 6 points below average.

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Petrol1598cc14 years old293 tests72k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1598cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£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

76% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 6 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data.

76% of MOT tests on Citroen C3 Picassos from 2012 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 12 years old. That's based on 293 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 72,293 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 models498th of 650(bottom 24%)

Rank among Citroen models333rd of 589(bottom half)

vs average of all models-6%(82% avg)

vs 2012 models average-2%(78% avg)

vs Citroen average-3%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

72,293

Average miles

88,800

Expected for age

The average 2012 Citroen C3 Picasso had 72,293 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 2017 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 84%, while the 2010 model has the lowest at 66%. The 2012 scores 76%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Citroen C3 Picasso by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2019	80%	79	49,562 mi
2017	84%	5,224	44,016 mi
2016	81%	3,246	47,480 mi
2015	83%	435	56,082 mi
2014	80%	352	60,683 mi
2013	81%	333	72,898 mi
2012	76%	293	72,293 mi
2011	71%	213	87,099 mi
2010	66%	278	99,081 mi
2009	67%	221	89,914 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Vauxhall Corsa

2014 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

76%

same

Ford Focus

2013 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

78%

+2%

Nissan Qashqai

2013 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,228/year

72%

-4%

Volkswagen Polo

2011 · 1198cc Petrol

£1,900/year

75%

-1%

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About the 2012 Citroen C3 Picasso

The 2012 Citroen C3 Picasso is a small family car. Our records list a 1598cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 293 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 24% of 2012 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 72,293 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Citroen C3 Picasso owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2012 Citroen C3 Picasso Fuel Costs

The 1598cc 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 Picasso?

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 76% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Citroen C3 Picasso Reliability Trend

Newer Citroen C3 Picassos pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 12 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2012 Citroen C3 Picasso

At 14 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

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 Picasso 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 Picasso(2012)	76%	£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 Picasso

Is the 2012 Citroen C3 Picasso reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 76% of MOT tests on 2012 Citroen C3 Picassos ended in a pass, from 293 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 6 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2012 Citroen C3 Picasso 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 Picasso?

76% of 293 MOT tests on the 2012 Citroen C3 Picasso ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 498th of 650 models first registered in 2012 (bottom 24%).

Which year Citroen C3 Picasso has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2017 Citroen C3 Picasso has the highest MOT pass rate at 84% and the 2010 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 Picasso?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2012 Citroen C3 Picasso is 72,293 miles, which is in line with the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.