2013 Citroen C1 1.0L Petrol · EO13 KBP

The 2013 Citroen C1 presents a mixed mechanical picture across its nine-year MOT history, with a recent successful test on 2025-09-13 followed by several prior failures and adverse conditions that require attention before purchase. The 2023-09-16 test failed twice—once for a minor hazard warning switch fault and again for a dangerous condition involving exposed ply in the rear front tyre—and the following 2024-09-14 pass was accompanied by thinning front brake pads and worn front discs. An earlier 2023-09-16 failure also resulted in an advisory regarding an insecure rear registration plate, indicating potential structural concerns at the chassis level. Despite the latest pass, the overall record shows a pattern of intermittent issues rather than a steady degradation, suggesting the vehicle may have experienced stress events or repair cycles that are not fully reflected in the current clean status. The mileage of 50,171 miles on a thirteen-year-old vehicle represents approximately 3,859 miles per annum, which is notably lower than typical consumption patterns for a car of this vintage. This reduced accumulation rate could stem from infrequent driving, seasonal storage, or prolonged periods where the vehicle sat idle, yet the documented test intervals reveal irregularities as well. There is a substantial gap between the 2023-09-16 failure and the subsequent 2024-09-14 pass of just twelve months, followed by another nearly two-year interval before the 2025-09-13 success. The lack of regular testing over longer spans combined with the presence of multiple failures indicates that while the vehicle may not have been driven heavily, certain systems have required intervention that has not been consistently monitored through routine MOT checks. Focused on the component-level history, the exhaust system shows a persistent minor leak in the middle pipe identified during the 2025-09-13 test, requiring a recheck of the front vehicles internal headlight adjuster as part of the remedial action. The front brake assembly exhibits progressive wear, with thin brake pads and pitted or scored discs noted in 2024, which could evolve into full pad replacement and rotor resurfacing if left unaddressed. The rear tyres present a concerning history, having been worn close to legal limits in 2022 and suffering exposed ply or cords in 2023, suggesting possible structural compromise that should be inspected visually for cuts or separation along the sidewall. Additionally, the hazard warning switch remained faulty across both the 2023 and 2024 tests, meaning the vehicle lacks functional emergency illumination even if other systems operate correctly. For a prospective buyer, the most critical areas to verify during a test drive are the exhaust hangers and mid-pipe connections for signs of leakage or excessive noise at idle and under acceleration, particularly given the documented minor leak. When braking, pay close attention to the front wheels for any vibration, metallic scraping, or a grinding sensation that would indicate pad thickness loss or disc scoring. Inspect the tyres thoroughly by running your hands around the circumference to feel for exposed cords, checking tread depth for uniformity, and noting any uneven wear patterns that might point to alignment or suspension geometry issues. The hazard warning switch should be tested by activating the hazard lights to confirm they illuminate fully and evenly across all four directions. Finally, examine the rear registration plate attachment to ensure it is securely fastened, as the 2023 advisory highlighted this as non-trivial despite being described as unlikely to fall off, because secure mounting is essential for compliance and safety.