2017 Citroen C3 1.2L Petrol · KT17 XGF

The 2017 Citroen C3 presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent MOT on 21 April 2026 at 93,347 miles passed, but the tester flagged a slight play in the nearside front suspension arm ball joint and noted the nearside rear tyre was slightly damaged, cracking, or perishing. These are not immediate failures, yet they signal the car is entering a phase where age-related wear is beginning to surface. The trend is neither clearly worsening nor fully stable. Two consecutive years of advisories, after three years of clean passes from 2022 through 2024, suggest the car has been maintained adequately but not proactively. The ball joint play in particular is a mechanical wear item that rarely improves with time. The mileage accumulation is consistent and unremarkable for a car of this age. From 75,190 miles in April 2023 to 80,946 in April 2024, then 87,701 in April 2025, and finally 93,347 in April 2026, the car has covered roughly 6,000 to 7,000 miles per year in recent years. That sits comfortably below the earlier average of around 10,372 miles per year calculated over the car's full life. The drop in annual mileage suggests lighter recent use, possibly shorter journeys or a change of owner. No large gaps or sudden spikes appear in the record, so there is no evidence of the car being stood idle for long periods or subjected to unusually hard use. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension and tyre condition. The nearside front ball joint play recorded in April 2026 is the most significant finding. Excessive play here can cause vague steering, uneven tyre wear, and, if left unattended, potential joint failure. Have a garage check not only that joint but also the offside equivalent, the track rod ends, and the lower arm bushes for matching wear. The perished nearside rear tyre flagged in the same test raises questions about the age and storage conditions of the tyre set. Inspect all four tyres for sidewall cracking, date stamps, and uneven wear patterns that could point to alignment or suspension geometry issues. The 2022 advisory for a non-repairable nail in the nearside rear tyre is minor, but it does indicate the car has picked up punctures, so check that tyre's repair history and condition. Beyond these specific advisories, examine the underside for corrosion, particularly around suspension mounting points and the exhaust system, as nine-year-old Citroens can show surface rust in these areas. Test the brakes for uneven wear or binding, and listen for any knocking from the front end over speed bumps, which would confirm the ball joint wear is progressing. The car's MOT record is not alarming, but the shift from clean passes to advisories means a thorough independent inspection is warranted before purchase.