2006 Citroen C2 1.1L Petrol · AP06 ELC

A pattern of small advisories and a couple of test failures reveals a C2 with consistent but largely cosmetic and consumable wear rather than any single dominant mechanical fault. Across the recorded tests the car has passed on every annual occasion except 2021 and 2022, when it failed for a headlamp aim issue, an insecure headlamp, indicator colour, and dangerously low front tyre tread. None of those are structural or chassis concerns, but they do sit alongside a repeated minor item for the offside front upper anti-roll bar linkage ball joint, which has been flagged as a severely deteriorated dust cover at three of the last four tests. Oil leaks have been noted as advisories in 2020 and 2021, the offside rear shock absorber showed light oil misting in 2022, and front suspension components including a lower arm pin or bush and Macpherson strut upper mount wear have appeared more than once. Taken together, the picture is one of ageing running gear and ancillaries rather than any catastrophic defect. Recorded mileage of 100,738 over twenty years equates to roughly 5,000 miles annually and sits well below the typical accumulation rate for a car of this vintage. MOT coverage is reasonably continuous back to 2017 with no multi-year gaps, which suggests the vehicle has been in regular rather than occasional use. The relatively even annual mileage tends to favour interior and component preservation through consistent operation, although the MOT file alone does not establish whether long-idle periods have contributed to the advisory items logged. The annual progression shows no clear deterioration trend; advisories cycle through tyres, brake discs, exhaust gas leaks, oil seepage and suspension wear without any one item becoming progressively worse on paper, although the repeat appearance of front suspension and anti-roll bar components is worth weighing carefully. For a prospective buyer, the priority is to physically verify the items that have recurred on paper. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly from the offside upper anti-roll bar linkage, and feel for any looseness or vibration through the steering wheel over bumps that would suggest the worn lower arm bush flagged in 2022 has progressed. With the offside rear shock showing light misting, check for any streaking of oil down the damper and for the car sitting lower on that corner when parked on level ground, as well as any excessive bouncing after pressing down on each rear corner. The front brake discs were both noted as pitted or scored in 2019, so on a road test expect to feel for pedal pulsation or vibration under heavier braking, and check for any grinding sensation that would indicate pads have worn into those already compromised discs. Given the oil leak advisories, inspect under the engine bay for fresh seepage around the sump, cam cover and oil filter housing, and watch the exhaust for any ticking or hissing from the area where the 2018 minor exhaust gas leak was recorded. Finally, confirm the condition of both front tyres carefully as illegal tread depth and edge wear have each been recorded in this history, and confirm the headlights are secure and correctly aimed, as these specific failures were the only items that prevented a clean test in 2021 and 2022.