2013 Citroen C1 1.0L Petrol · NL63 FEP

The C1 holds a valid MOT certificate issued on 18 March 2026 at 55,921 miles, but the maintenance trend is clearly worsening. That most recent pass came just six days after a failure on 12 March 2026 at 55,854 miles, where the tester flagged excessively corroded rear suspension mounting areas on both sides and offside rear sill. The March pass certificate confirms the sub-frame remains corroded, with suspension mounting repairs now concealed under underseal. This pattern of corrosion repairs being covered rather than properly resolved is a significant concern. The mileage profile is unusual. At roughly 4,302 miles per year over thirteen years, this is exceptionally low use. The gap between the February 2025 test at 52,508 miles and the March 2026 tests at 55,854-55,921 miles shows about 3,400 miles covered in thirteen months, which is modest but not negligible. The earlier history shows steady annual accumulation around 3,000 miles between 2023 and 2025. Low mileage vehicles often suffer from deteriorated rubber components and corrosion from standing rather than wear from use, which aligns with the recurring dust cover deterioration and corrosion issues seen here. The recurring sub-frame corrosion advisory, present in every test since at least 2024, demands close physical inspection. A buyer should examine the sub-frame mounting points with a torch and probe, checking whether the underseal applied in March 2026 is masking active corrosion or previous welded repairs. The rear suspension mounting areas on both sides and the offside rear sill were flagged as structurally compromised in the failure, so any buyer should verify the quality of those repairs before committing. Beyond the structural concerns, the history reveals neglected consumables. Anti-roll bar ball joint dust covers have been deteriorating since 2024, allowing ingress of water and grit that accelerates joint wear. The 2023 failure for a perished rear tyre and a broken front exhaust mounting suggests basic upkeep was inconsistent. A buyer should check all suspension bushes for play, inspect the exhaust system for fresh corrosion at joints, and verify tyre age and condition across all four corners including the spare if fitted.