2009 Citroen C1 1.0L Petrol · NA09 HSE

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history reveals a concerning trend of deferred repairs regarding mechanical components. While the most recent test in May 2025 at 69,163 miles secured a pass, it followed a failure just one mile prior due to critical safety issues including an SRS warning lamp and illegible registration plates. The record shows that the owner only addresses faults once they result in an MOT failure, suggesting a reactive rather than a proactive approach to vehicle upkeep. At 17 years old, the recorded mileage of 69,163 miles is exceptionally low, averaging only approximately 4,000 miles per year. This low usage often correlates with vehicles sitting stationary, which can lead to accelerated degradation of rubber components and the buildup of environmental corrosion. Between June 2023 and May 2025, the car covered only 1,964 miles, yet it suffered multiple failures for suspension and braking issues, indicating that age-related wear is the primary driver of deterioration rather than mileage-driven fatigue. A buyer must inspect the front suspension geometry closely, as the tester flagged worn offside front lower arm bushes and ball joints across the 2023 and 2005 tests. The recurring issue with the corroded offside rear brake pipe, masked by grease, suggests poor maintenance standards or attempts to hide structural decay. Furthermore, the presence of surface corrosion on the rear underbody and corroded rear coil springs requires a physical inspection to ensure the rust has not progressed into structural rot, which is a common failure point for this model. The braking system also warrants scrutiny following the May 2024 failure for a binding nearside rear brake and imbalanced performance that barely met requirements. Any prospective buyer should demand evidence that the SRS fault was properly diagnosed and that the brake pipes have been replaced rather than merely cleaned. Given the history of worn bushes and corrosion, the vehicle likely requires an immediate investment to ensure long-term reliability and safety.