2003 Citroen C3 1.4L Petrol · NA03 APX

The vehicle presents a worsening maintenance trend with significant structural concerns. While the car has low mileage for its age, the most recent MOT test in January 2023 at 90,729 miles resulted in a failure due to serious issues. The tester identified excessive corrosion on both the nearside and offside integral body structures within 30cm of the body mounting sills, which directly affects the vehicle's structural integrity. This follows a history of recurring exhaust leaks and structural degradation, suggesting that the vehicle's condition is deteriorating rather than being maintained to a high standard. The recorded mileage of 90,729 miles over 23 years averages approximately 3,945 miles per year, which is notably low. However, the data shows significant gaps in recent history, with no recorded MOT since January 2023. Given the current date of July 2026, the vehicle has been untested for over three years. This lack of recent documentation, combined with the low annual usage, may indicate the car has been stationary for extended periods, which often accelerates corrosion and degrades rubber components like suspension bushes and CV boots. A prospective buyer must prioritise a thorough inspection of the chassis and sills. The MOT history shows a persistent pattern of corrosion, moving from minor sill projections in 2018 to major structural failures in 2023. The presence of previous sill repairs coated in black underseal in January 2022 suggests an attempt to manage this issue, but the subsequent failure indicates the corrosion has progressed. The exhaust system also requires close attention, as leaks have been a consistent issue since at least 2016, culminating in a major leak and emission failures in the 2023 test. Mechanical inspection should also focus on the suspension and braking systems. The records show recurring faults with Macpherson strut bushes, ball joints, and coil springs. Although some components like the drag link end ball joint showed only slight play in 2023, the history of worn suspension arms and deteriorated CV boots suggests a need for a comprehensive underside check. Finally, the buyer should verify the current state of the brake pipes, as corrosion in these lines was flagged as a failure in 2017 and 2020.