2021 Citroen C3 Shine Puretech S/S Auto 1.2L Petrol · CF21 TXK

The C3 Shine presents a stable and improving maintenance trend, culminating in a clean pass on 15 May 2026 at 36,470 miles. The only advisory noted was minor cosmetic damage to the offside rear lamp lens, which did not reduce light output. This outcome is a marked improvement over the previous test cycle, where the car failed and passed on the same day, 30 May 2025, at 27,542 miles. The 2025 failure was triggered by a non-illuminating nearside rear position lamp, a simple electrical fix, while the subsequent pass addressed that issue. The record indicates the owner corrected the immediate failure promptly, and the vehicle has since operated for nearly a year and 9,000 miles without any new defects surfacing. The mileage accumulation is consistent and unremarkable for a five-year-old petrol automatic. The car covered 11,635 miles between the April 2024 test at 15,907 miles and the May 2025 test at 27,542 miles, then added a further 8,928 miles in the twelve months leading to the May 2026 test. This equates to roughly 7,300 miles per year, a typical figure for mixed urban and suburban use. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden spikes in the odometer record that would suggest long periods of disuse or clocking concerns. The annual test intervals align neatly with the mileage progression, reinforcing a pattern of regular, steady use rather than neglect or extreme short-journey operation. Despite the clean recent result, the 2025 advisories warrant a focused physical inspection. Both front tyres were flagged for cracking and perishing at 27,542 miles, a condition often linked to age, UV exposure, or prolonged standing. A buyer should closely examine the current tyre date codes and sidewall condition, as perished rubber can fail suddenly regardless of remaining tread depth. The rear brake discs were also noted as worn, pitted, or scored during that same test. While the tester judged them not seriously weakened, pitted discs can accelerate pad wear and cause judder under braking. Inspect the rear disc faces for deep scoring and measure pad thickness, particularly if the car has covered significant mileage since the last inspection. The absence of any suspension, steering, or structural corrosion advisories across the entire history is encouraging for a vehicle of this age. The 2024 test at 15,907 miles recorded zero defects, and the 2026 test was equally clean apart from the lamp lens. This suggests the car has not been subjected to severe corrosion environments or harsh impacts. Still, a buyer should physically check the underside for fresh stone chips, surface rust on subframes, and the condition of suspension bushes and coil springs, as these components can deteriorate silently between tests. The automatic gearbox should be driven through all gears under load to confirm smooth changes, given the lack of specific drivetrain data in the MOT record.