2010 Citroen C3 1.6L Diesel · N1 PVB

The 2010 Citroen C3 holds a valid MOT certificate issued on 28 May 2026 at 79,492 miles, but the maintenance trend is mixed rather than consistently improving. The most recent test passed with only minor advisories on both rear tyres for cracking and perishing, yet just seven days earlier the same car failed with a cluster of front suspension defects. The Nearside Front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint was excessively worn and its dust cover had failed, while the lower arm rear bush was also flagged as excessively worn. These are not minor consumable items. They point to a front end that was in poor condition immediately before the pass, suggesting either a rushed repair or a retest carried out before the underlying wear was fully resolved. A car that fails on suspension joints and then passes a week later warrants close scrutiny of the quality and completeness of that repair. The mileage profile is notably low for a 16-year-old vehicle. At 79,492 miles, the annual average sits at roughly 4,968 miles per year, well below the typical UK figure of around 8,000 to 12,000. The record shows a jump of 8,694 miles between the May 2025 test at 70,799 miles and the May 2026 test at 79,321 miles, which is a significant increase in a single year after what appears to have been a period of very light use. The gap between August 2024 at 68,622 miles and May 2025 at 70,799 miles covers only 2,177 miles over nine months, reinforcing the picture of a car that spent long periods stationary. Extended sitting can cause tyre sidewall perishing, seized brake components, and dried-out rubber bushes, all of which align with the defects now appearing on record. The recurring rear tyre advisories across both the May 2026 pass and the May 2026 failure suggest the tyres have been deteriorating over time rather than being replaced promptly. Combined with the worn rear brake discs noted in August 2024, the braking and running gear on the rear axle has not been maintained to a high standard. The front suspension failure in May 2026 involving the anti-roll bar linkage and suspension arm bush raises questions about whether other worn components were simply left in place. A prospective buyer should have the front suspension inspected on a four-post lift, paying particular attention to the offside equivalents of the failed nearside joints, as well as the condition of the subframe and mounting points for corrosion. The engine oil leak flagged in August 2024 was described as not excessive at that time, but its current status is unknown and should be verified underneath the car. The windscreen damage noted in August 2024 and the headlamp aim defects from the same period were resolved before the pass, so those items appear to have been addressed. The overall impression is a lightly used car that has suffered from sporadic upkeep rather than systematic maintenance. The low annual mileage has not protected it from the kind of rubber and corrosion-related deterioration that affects vehicles left standing. A thorough underbody inspection, a check of all suspension bushes and ball joints on both sides, and confirmation that the rear brakes and tyres have been brought up to standard are essential before committing to purchase.