2018 Citroen C1 1.0L Petrol · LD68 AAV

A pattern of front anti-roll bar wear is beginning to emerge as the defining mechanical concern on this 2018 Citroen C1, with the most recent test on 6 July 2026 having passed but carrying advisories on both the nearside and offside front anti-roll bar linkage pins or bushes for wear that has not quite crossed into excessive movement. Prior to that the vehicle had a generally clean record, passing without advisories in 2022 and 2023, then accumulating minor advisory items in 2024 (driver's view obstructions) and 2025 (slight perishing on both rear tyres). The current advisory trend is modest but points to the front suspension beginning to loosen up, which is a common wear point on small city cars of this age that have spent their lives pounding over urban speed humps and kerbs. There are no recorded failures, no corrosion advisories on structural items, and no brake or exhaust defects flagged, so the overall roadworthiness trajectory remains stable but warrants attention to the front-end geometry and damping components. With only 33,006 miles accumulated over eight years, this C1 has been driven at an average of roughly 4,126 miles annually, which is well below the typical mileage for a vehicle of its age and suggests either light private use, a second-car role, or periods where it was not in regular service. The annual mileage implied between tests has been broadly consistent rather than showing sudden spikes, and there are no significant gaps in the MOT history to indicate long-term standing off the road. Mechanically, low-mileage examples of this age tend to suffer more from age-related deterioration of rubber and plastic components than from outright wear of the engine or transmission, which is consistent with the cracking rear tyres flagged in 2025 and the anti-roll bar linkage wear now appearing. Buyers should be alert to the fact that lightly driven cars can still develop seized brake calipers, dried out suspension bushes, and perished sealing rubbers simply through lack of use. Given the anti-roll bar advisories now logged on both sides, a prospective buyer should carry out a focused inspection of the front suspension, paying particular attention to knocking or clonking noises transmitted through the bodyshell when traversing speed humps, driveway kerbs, or uneven B-road surfaces. The anti-roll bar links are short drop arms connecting the bar to the front struts, and when their pins or bushes wear the bar loses its ability to control body roll effectively, which on a test drive will manifest as vague, floaty cornering and a sense that the front end is wandering over undulations. Have the linkage joints physically rocked by hand with the wheel raised to check for any play beyond what the tester deemed acceptable, and inspect the rubber bush housings for splits, hardening, or visible movement relative to the metal pin. Equally, listen for any suspension creaks or rattles on cold start that may indicate seized top mounts or coil spring seating issues typical of low-mileage urban cars. Beyond the suspension, the rear tyre perishing advisories from 2025 deserve a visual check, as sidewall cracking can progress between tests and may render the tyres non-compliant regardless of tread depth. Inspect both rear tyres closely for any cracks extending into the sidewall grooves or for bulges that would indicate internal carcass degradation, and confirm that the tread depth remains above the legal 1.6 mm limit across the central three-quarters of the contact patch. The 2024 advisory concerning items obstructing the driver's view is worth noting only as a reminder to confirm that the windscreen area is clear and that any dashcam, phone mount, or aftermarket accessory is not positioned within the swept area of the windscreen wipers or in a location that could attract a subsequent advisory. Finally, given the low annual mileage, the brake discs and pads should be examined for surface corrosion and the caliper slide pins checked for free movement, as lightly driven cars frequently seize their rear drum or caliper mechanisms through lack of regular use, leading to uneven braking or handbrake performance that would only become apparent under firm pedal application during a test drive.