2013 Citroen C1 1.0L Petrol · AF63 RZY

The 2013 Citroen C1 passed its most recent MOT on 5 December 2025 at 99,029 miles, but the maintenance picture is one of gradual deterioration rather than active repair. The car failed the day before on 4 December 2025 at the identical recorded mileage, with defects including a defective rear exhaust mounting, inoperative registration plate lamp, seriously defective offside headlamp lens, and incorrect headlamp aim. These were rectified overnight to secure a pass the following morning, suggesting a last-minute scramble rather than a sustained programme of upkeep. Several advisories carried forward from prior years remain unresolved, most notably the rear exhaust mounting, which has appeared as a defect in every test since November 2023. The nearside indicator tell-tale fault also recurred across the 2024 and 2025 tests. Front brake discs have been flagged as worn, pitted or scored at every inspection since November 2022, and both front anti-roll bar linkage bushes have been noted as worn since the same date. None of these items were deemed seriously weakened or resulting in excessive movement, but their persistence across four consecutive years indicates a pattern of deferred maintenance on core suspension and braking components. The mileage progression tells a broadly consistent story. The car covered 15,931 miles between the November 2022 test at 83,098 miles and the December 2025 test at 99,029 miles, averaging roughly 5,310 miles per year over that three-year window. That sits below the 7,618 miles per year implied by the car's age, pointing to lighter use in recent years or possibly a period of limited activity. The recorded mileage did not change at all between the failed test on 4 December 2025 and the pass on 5 December 2025, which is expected for a retest but confirms the vehicle was not driven between inspections. There are no glaring gaps in the MOT record, with annual tests filed consistently from 2022 onward, so the history itself is reliable. A buyer should focus their physical inspection on the front suspension and braking assembly. The repeated advisories on both front anti-roll bar linkage pins or bushes and both front brake discs suggest these components are approaching the end of their serviceable life. Check for play in the anti-roll bar links by rocking the front wheels and listening for clunking from the subframe area. Examine the front brake discs for lipping, scoring, and thickness variation, and inspect the pads for uneven wear that could point to a binding caliper. The rear exhaust mounting has been flagged as defective for over two years, so look for a loose or corroded mounting bracket and signs of the exhaust system sitting lower than expected or knocking over bumps. Beyond the recurring advisories, inspect the headlamp lenses for hazing or cracks, particularly on the offside, and verify that the headlamp aim is correct on a flat surface. Check the nearside indicator tell-tale function on the dashboard, as the bulb or wiring fault has persisted across two tests. The spare wheel well was noted as full of water in December 2024, so lift the boot floor and look for standing water, which could indicate a blocked drain or corrosion in the floor pan. Given the car's age and the pattern of minor but persistent faults, a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic is strongly recommended before committing to the purchase.