2009 Citroen C1 1.0L Petrol · ND59 KCY

The C1 presents a mixed picture. The most recent test on 17 February 2026 at 71,447 miles passed, but only after a failure nine days earlier on 9 February 2026 at 71,441 miles. That failure flagged corroded brake pipes on all three circuits, a minor exhaust leak, worn anti-roll bar bushes on both fronts, and a seriously weakened, corroded offside front subframe. The pass on the 17th still recorded advisories for corroded brake pipes on all three circuits, meaning the subframe and linkage defects were addressed but the pipework remains a live concern. The maintenance trend is not stable; it shows a vehicle that has been allowed to develop serious structural corrosion and then patched up to pass rather than systematically repaired. The mileage profile is unusually low for a 2009 vehicle. At roughly 4,203 miles per year, the car has covered just 71,447 miles over approximately 17 years. The record shows 65,154 miles in January 2024, 68,916 miles in February 2025, and 71,447 miles by February 2026, indicating a recent uptick in use after a period of very light running. That low annual mileage can mask deterioration caused by long standing periods rather than use, particularly where corrosion is concerned. The MOT history is reasonably well documented with consecutive annual tests, so there are no obvious gaps in the record. A buyer should treat the subframe and suspension mounting areas as the primary structural concern. The 2025 failure specifically cited excessively corroded nearside and offside rear suspension component mountings significantly reducing structural strength, alongside a seriously weakened offside front subframe. Even though the February 2026 pass suggests these were addressed, the underlying pattern of corrosion across multiple structural points on a low-mileage city car raises questions about underbody protection and long-term integrity. Inspect the subframe, rear suspension mounting points, and inner wing seams closely for fresh coatings over old corrosion rather than genuine metalwork renewal. The braking system demands equal attention. Corroded brake pipes have appeared as advisories or failures in every test from 2024 through 2026, consistently described as corroded and covered in grease or other material. That wording suggests the pipes may have been coated to mask deterioration rather than replaced. Check whether the pipes have been properly renewed or simply cleaned and painted over. The recurring worn anti-roll bar linkage pins and bushes on both fronts point to a suspension component that has received repeated monitoring rather than replacement, so expect to renew those bushes and links in the near term.