2015 Citroen C1 1.0L Petrol · LC15 CTE

The C1 presents a mixed maintenance picture heading into mid-2026. The most recent MOT, conducted on 09 December 2025 at 52,908 miles, passed but flagged multiple wear and corrosion items simultaneously, suggesting the car has reached an age where deferred renewal of ageing components is catching up. The trend is not cleanly improving. A failed test on 09 December 2024 at 46,716 miles for a nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint likely to become detached was followed by a clean pass three days later at 46,718 miles, indicating that specific joint was replaced. However, the December 2025 pass accumulated advisories across brakes, suspension bushes, subframe mounting corrosion, rear axle corrosion, and a deteriorated outer CV boot. This cluster of advisories points to a vehicle that is being kept on the road rather than proactively refreshed. The mileage profile is low for an eleven-year-old city car. At 52,908 miles, the annual average sits around 4,810 miles. The record shows a gap of roughly 7,000 miles between November 2023 at 39,682 miles and December 2024 at 46,716 miles, then a jump of just 6,190 miles in the following twelve months to the December 2025 test. This pattern is consistent with short urban journeys and intermittent longer use. Low mileage alone does not protect rubber bushes, CV boots, or structural metal from age-related deterioration, particularly on a small hatchback likely used for stop-start town work where suspension and steering components see high cyclic loads per mile. Buyers should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension and drivetrain. The December 2025 advisory for both front wishbone rear bushes worn and cracking, combined with the December 2024 anti-roll bar linkage ball joint failure, indicates the front end is entering a phase of bush and joint renewal. Check for play in the wishbone bushes by levering behind the front wheels and inspect the anti-roll bar drop links for clunking. The offside front outer CV boot was noted as severely deteriorated with a pinhole weeping grease in December 2025. If the joint has been running dry, expect a clicking noise on full lock and budget for a driveshaft replacement. Corrosion requires closer scrutiny than the pass verdict alone suggests. The December 2025 test flagged the front subframe mounting prescribed area as corroded but not excessive, alongside a separate advisory for rear axle corrosion. On a C1 of this age, these are structural inspection points rather than cosmetic. Have the car raised to examine the front subframe mounting points for pack rust and flaking, and check the rear axle mounting areas and trailing arm brackets for section loss. The front brake discs were noted worn with lips in December 2025. Combined with the December 2023 advisory for a nearside rear service brake excessively binding, the braking system has shown recurring issues. Inspect disc thickness, pad condition, and rear caliper slide pins for free movement.