2010 Citroen C3 1.6L Diesel · GL59 WFS

A clear pattern of brake disc wear has developed across the MOT history of this 2010 Citroen C3, with pitted or scored surfaces flagged on three consecutive tests from 2022 onwards and most recently recorded on both rear discs at the 7 October 2025 pass. The broader test record is otherwise mixed: the vehicle passed cleanly in 2020 and 2024, but has also produced two failures, in 2021 due to an inoperative nearside headlamp on dipped beam and more substantively in 2024 with major defects against both track rod end ball joints for excessive play and both registration plate lamps. The accumulation of brake-related advisories alongside the 2024 steering failure suggests wear that has been progressive rather than sudden, and the most recent test on 7 October 2025 shows the trend continuing rather than resolving. With 78,891 miles accumulated over approximately sixteen years, the vehicle averages around 4,931 miles per year, which is low for a car of this age. The recorded tests from 2020 through 2025 occur at broadly annual intervals without significant gaps, indicating the vehicle has remained in regular use rather than laid up for extended periods. Lower annual mileage of this nature typically reduces wear on major drivetrain components but does not eliminate age-related deterioration of perishable items such as rubber boots, brake discs, suspension bushes, and flexible brake hoses, all of which can degrade through oxidation and dry rot even on lightly used cars. The consistent year-on-year testing pattern does at least allow direct comparison of advisories across consecutive inspections. Given the recurring brake disc advisories, particular attention should be paid to the braking system on any inspection. Both rear discs were flagged as pitted and scored at the latest test, having first been noted at the front and rear in 2023, which suggests the discs may now be approaching the end of their service life and could require replacement along with fresh pads. On a test drive, listen for grinding or pulsing through the brake pedal under firm application, particularly from the rear axle, and watch for any vibration through the steering wheel under heavy braking which would indicate disc runout. The nearside headlamp failure in 2021 should also prompt a physical check of both headlamp and registration plate lamps before purchase, as the 2024 retest recorded both plate lamps failed simultaneously, which can indicate a wiring or earth fault rather than coincidental bulb failures. The 2024 failure for excessive play in both track rod end ball joints is the most safety-critical item in the record and warrants close inspection of the front steering and suspension. With the car now two years past the replacement, check for any knocking from the front end when turning at low speed over speed humps or rough surfaces, and feel for vagueness or free play in the steering during the lock-to-lock test. Uneven front tyre wear, particularly on the offside front which was flagged as worn on edge in 2022, would suggest the tracking may have drifted or the replacement components were not correctly set up. The offside rear tyre was also flagged for perishing in 2023, so all four tyres should be examined for sidewall cracking given the age of the vehicle, regardless of tread depth.