2016 Citroen C1 1.2L Petrol · HX66 WLL

A persistent pattern of brake-pad wear at the front axle is the defining mechanical theme of this 2016 Citroen C1's MOT record, surfacing as an advisory in consecutive annual tests. Both the 2024-10-26 and 2025-10-24 examinations recorded front brake pads as wearing thin, with the latest test specifically identifying the nearside pair. Despite these recurring observations, the vehicle has carried a clean pass certificate at every recorded test across 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, with no advisory categories escalating into failure items. Earlier advisories noted perished front tyres in 2022 and a defective front exhaust mounting in 2021, both of which are now off the record, suggesting those items were addressed or had not yet reached mandatory defect thresholds. The overall trajectory is one of stable roadworthiness with a chronic but minor service item on the front braking system. Mileage accumulation for the C1 sits at 80,188 miles across roughly a decade of use, equating to an average of around 8,019 miles per year, which is broadly typical for an urban-oriented small car of this age. There are no obvious gaps or dormant periods in the MOT history, with tests conducted annually between 2021 and 2025, implying continuous road use rather than extended lay-up. This consistent, moderate-mileage usage pattern is favourable for a city-oriented powertrain, suggesting the 1.0-litre petrol engine and manual transmission have been worked regularly rather than subjected to the stresses of long-distance motorway mileage or the contrary risks of infrequent use such as oil seal drying or fluid stagnation. Consumable wear, particularly on braking components and tyres, should be expected at this mileage, and the recorded advisories align reasonably with that reality. For a prospective buyer, the front braking system is the primary area to inspect physically given the consecutive advisories. On a test drive, listen for any metallic grinding or squeal from the front wheels, particularly under light or moderate pedal pressure, and feel for a spongy or inconsistent pedal travel that could indicate worn pads approaching minimum thickness or a binding caliper. Inspect the nearside and offside front discs through the wheel for a pronounced lip on the outer edge, deep scoring, or heat-blued surfaces, as the thin-pad advisory may well have accelerated disc wear. At this mileage the caliper slide pins and guide seals are also worth checking for corrosion or stiffness, since seized pins lead to uneven pad transfer and premature wear on one side, which would explain the nearside-specific advisory recorded in 2025. The remaining items flagged historically are worth a brief physical check during inspection but carry less immediate concern. The perished front tyres noted in 2022 should have been replaced since; confirm that the current pair of front tyres has even tread depth above the legal 1.6 mm threshold and shows no cracking in the sidewalls, particularly given the C1's susceptibility to kerb damage from its light front end. The defective front exhaust mounting advisory from 2021 should be verified by physically rocking the exhaust at the front section to detect excessive movement, looseness, or a fractured rubber hanger. Given that this generation of C1 shares its platform with the Toyota Aygo and Peugeot 108, common age-related issues worth a quick check include rear shock absorber corrosion around the top mounts, wiper linkage wear causing juddering on the screen, and any damp or staining on the front floor pans indicating water ingress through deteriorated door or tailgate seals. A clean underside without excessive surface corrosion would be expected at this mileage, but localised bubbling along the rear wheel arches and sills should be ruled out.