2017 Citroen C3 1.2L Petrol · ML67 WMD

A pattern of recurring front-end wear dominates the mechanical history of this 2017 Citroen C3, with the same cluster of suspension, brake and wheel bearing advisories appearing across multiple tests. The most recent outcome on 21 April 2026 was a pass, but only after two earlier failures within the same month, one for an inoperative engine management indicator lamp and both for an inaccessible headlamp levelling device. Advisories on that 2026 test noted slight play in the nearside front wheel bearing, pitted and scored front brake discs not yet seriously weakened, and worn front suspension arm pins or bushes on both sides that were not yet producing excessive movement. The 2023 test carried a near-identical advisory pair referencing the front lower suspension arm back bushes both sides, which suggests this is a chronic wearing component on the vehicle rather than a one-off finding. Earlier tests in 2022 and 2021 were clean of defects apart from a minor oil seepage around the oil filter area and a child seat obscuring an adult belt inspection, so the deterioration has become concentrated at the front axle in the last three years. Annual mileage averages roughly 7,200 miles per year across the nine-year life of the car, which is broadly typical for the age and segment and points to consistent rather than intensive use. Testing gaps are minimal, with records present in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025 and 2026, so there is no evidence of a long lay-up that would raise concerns about seized brakes, deteriorated rubber seals or a depleted 12V battery. The mileage at the most recent test is 64,859, and the progression between tests is steady rather than erratic, meaning wear rates on consumables such as tyres, brake pads and discs should be predictable. At this level of use the engine and gearbox will not have been stressed by heavy motorway mileage, but the advisories show that suspension joints have still been working hard enough to wear the front arm bushes noticeably on both sides. For a prospective buyer the front axle is clearly the area requiring the most focused inspection. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front suspension over speed humps and rough tarmac, which would indicate that the worn arm pins or bushes flagged repeatedly since 2023 have progressed beyond the advisory threshold. Pay particular attention to steering feel: any vagueness, wandering or a reluctance to self-centre could suggest the nearside wheel bearing play noted in April 2026 has worsened. The front brake discs were recorded as pitted and scored; under heavy braking feel for vibration through the pedal or steering wheel, and listen for any grinding or binding that might indicate a caliper sticking as the discs continue to wear. The brake pedal should feel firm and progressive without pulling the car to one side under consistent application. A few other items from the record warrant physical checks before purchase. Confirm that the engine management lamp illuminates with the ignition and extinguishes promptly on start-up, as it was recorded as inoperative or showing a fault on 2 April 2026 and any recurring fault should be diagnosed and rectified rather than ignored. Verify that both headlamps produce a dipped beam and that the headlamp levelling adjuster is accessible from the driver's seat, since failures on these items twice in April 2026 were not corrected on the failed attempts and a repair history should be evidenced. Inspect the underside around the oil filter housing for fresh seepage, as a minor oil leak was noted in 2021, and check the rear tyres for uneven inner-edge wear, as both rear tyres were flagged as worn close to the legal limit in 2023. Finally, a general scan for any new corrosion on the front subframe, suspension arms and brake pipe runs is advisable given the age, with particular attention to any bubbling or flaking around the suspension mounting points that might compromise structural integrity.