2021 Citroen C3 Flair + Puretech S/S 1.2L Petrol · CV21 LCO

An offside front seat belt defect has shaped the recent MOT profile of this 2021 Citroen C3 Flair Plus PureTech. At the 6 March 2026 test the vehicle passed with advisories, but the underlying issue had already triggered a failure just 48 hours earlier on 4 March 2026, when the offside front seat belt webbing was recorded as significantly weakened with a cut greater than 4mm. The subsequent re-test downgraded this to an advisory noting only slight damage or fraying, which suggests either a temporary repair or partial replacement that satisfied the examiner at the threshold but did not eliminate the concern. Two front tyre advisories for wear close to the legal limit and edge wear were issued on the same passing test, meaning the front axle consumables were at the end of their useful life. Prior to 2026, the record is completely clean, with passes on 11 March 2024 and 26 February 2025 carrying no advisories at all, so the 2026 cluster of issues represents a clear deterioration rather than an ongoing pattern. With around 9,176 miles recorded against an age of approximately five years, this C3 is doing roughly 1,835 miles per year, which is well below average and points to either light commuting use or extended periods of standing. The first MOT would normally be required after three years for a 2021 vehicle, placing the first test in 2024, and the gap between the 2024 and 2025 tests is twelve months with no recorded mileage change available, while the gap to the 2026 tests is again around twelve months. Mechanically, low annual mileage reduces wear on high-cycle components such as brake discs, pads and clutch friction material, but it raises the risk of moisture pooling in the exhaust, corrosion seizing the brake calipers, and deterioration of rubber components like suspension bushes, dampers and driveshaft boots that degrade through age as much as use. The combination of low mileage and front tyre edge wear is particularly relevant, as edge wear typically indicates toe misalignment or uneven camber rather than simple age-related wear. The seat belt webbing problem is the single most important item to investigate on any viewing, because the change from a major failure to a mere advisory within two days is unusual and warrants direct questioning about whether the belt assembly was replaced, repaired, or simply re-presented. The webbing should be inspected along its full length for cuts, fraying, stiffness or glazing, and the retractor should be checked by pulling the belt out fully and confirming it locks and rewinds smoothly without hesitation. Any hesitation, a belt that fails to retract under its own weight, or visible damage beyond the minor fraying already recorded should be treated as a reason to walk away or negotiate a replacement. The front tyre advisories for close-to-legal-limit wear and edge wear suggest the tracking geometry should be measured before fitting new tyres, otherwise the replacements will simply wear in the same pattern. On a test drive, listen for any pulling to one side under braking or steady cruising, and feel for steering wheel vibration or off-centre trim that suggests the front alignment is out. With low annual mileage, the brakes should be inspected carefully for seized calipers, which typically present as a pulling sensation under gentle braking or one front disc showing visible rust pitting while the other is clean. The underbody and suspension components should also be checked for surface corrosion and perished bushes, particularly as standing periods allow road salt and moisture to accumulate on unprotected components.