2016 Citroen C1 1.2L Petrol · AY66 OCB

The Citroën C1 presents a stable roadworthiness record over the past three years, with the most recent MOT on 5 August 2025 at 70,859 miles passing without any defects. This consistency continues a trend of clean tests since August 2022, with no advisories or failures recorded in the last three examinations. The absence of recurring issues suggests the vehicle has either been well-maintained by previous owners or has naturally low wear for its age. That said, the duplicate entry for July 2023—one pass and one fail at identical mileage—raises a minor red flag, though the lack of specified defects means it may have been an administrative error rather than a mechanical concern. Mileage accumulation aligns closely with typical expectations for a 10-year-old vehicle, averaging around 7,086 miles per year. The gaps between tests are logical: roughly 11,000 miles between the 2022 and 2023 exams, then 11,455 miles in the following year, before settling into a more consistent 10,985-mile interval by 2025. There’s no evidence of rapid mileage buildup or prolonged inactivity, which would otherwise signal potential neglect or heavy usage. The most recent test in August 2025 is just 11 months old, meaning the vehicle has not been driven significantly since then—a useful indicator that it hasn’t been subjected to unseen wear during storage. Given the clean MOT history, a buyer should still prioritise a thorough inspection of high-wear components that aren’t always caught in standard tests. Pay close attention to the suspension—specifically the condition of front lower arms, coil springs, and anti-roll bar bushes—since these are common failure points in compact cars like the C1. Check for binding in the rear brakes, as past advisories on similar models often point to seized calipers or worn brake pads. Structural integrity is less of a concern here, but inspect the sills, wheel arches, and underbody for corrosion, particularly if the car has been driven in rural or salty conditions. Tyre condition and tread depth should also be verified, even though the MOT hasn’t flagged them, as uneven wear could indicate alignment or suspension issues. Finally, the absence of defects doesn’t preclude the need for a pre-purchase service. Focus on fluid levels—brake, coolant, and power steering—as these are often overlooked but critical to long-term reliability. If the seller cannot provide service records, assume nothing about maintenance history beyond what’s visible. The car’s clean MOTs suggest it’s been driven responsibly, but without further evidence, a buyer should treat it as a well-behaved but unproven example of its kind.