2011 Citroen C1 1.0L Petrol · FD11 OUA

A pattern of recurring rear brake pipe corrosion advisories dominates the MOT history of this 2011 Citroen C1, spanning every recorded test from 2022 through 2025, and culminating in a Major failure category for both the nearside and offside rear brake pipes on 23 March 2026 due to excessive corrosion. That failure was rectified sufficiently for the car to pass the following day, though the underlying advisories persisted alongside a deformed nearside outer sill, a corroded offside front coil spring, and a slightly distorted nearside front road wheel. Additional flagged items across the record include a persistently noisy nearside rear wheel bearing noted in 2024 and 2025, front brake pads noted as wearing thin in 2024, headlamp aim problems rectified at test on two separate occasions, and a defective front wiper blade in 2023. The overall trajectory is one of accumulating corrosion-related advisories on the rear hydraulic circuit, with the issue worsening from advisory status to Major defect within the space of a single test cycle. Recorded mileage stands at 93,841 miles across approximately fifteen years, equating to an average accumulation of around 6,256 miles per year, which sits broadly in line with typical usage for a city-focused C1 of this age. There are no extended gaps in the testing history that would suggest prolonged periods off the road, and the mileage progression between tests is consistent with regular everyday use rather than long-term storage. For a vehicle of this age and accumulated mileage, mechanical wear on consumables such as suspension components, brake system hardware, and wheel bearings is to be expected, and the recorded advisories align broadly with that expectation, though the escalation of the brake pipe condition to a Major defect suggests the corrosion is progressing faster than the advisory history alone would have implied. Given the confirmed rear brake pipe replacement required in March 2026, a prospective buyer should satisfy themselves that the work was carried out to a satisfactory standard, ideally with an invoice confirming the use of copper-nickel or equivalent coated replacement lines rather than standard mild steel. The pipe runs should be visually inspected for any signs of bubbling, flaking, or fresh corrosion, particularly at the unions and along the underbody routing where road salt and moisture collect. Any brake pedal feel that is spongy, a brake pedal that travels further than expected underfoot, or any warning light on the dash relating to the braking system should be treated as a prompt for immediate further investigation. The nearside rear wheel bearing should also be evaluated on a road test by listening for a drone or rumble that increases with speed and decreases when cornering in one direction, which would confirm the bearing as the source rather than tyre noise. On the test drive, particular attention should be paid to the front suspension, given the flagged offside front coil spring corrosion. Listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front when traversing speed humps, potholes, or uneven surfaces, and feel for any vagueness or delay in the steering response that could indicate weakened spring retention or compromised damping. The nearside front wheel should also be inspected for run-out or imbalance, as a slightly distorted wheel can present as a steering shimmy at low speeds or a vibration through the brake pedal under firm pedal pressure. Finally, the outer sill deformation flagged in 2025 and again in 2026 should be examined closely for any progression, ensuring that structural rigidity has not been further compromised, and that no sharp edges or cracks have developed which might affect the integrity of the sill in a subsequent test.