2015 Citroen C3 1.2L Petrol · PH11 CRC

The most recent DVSA MOT test conducted on 7 July 2026 resulted in a pass, but the examiner recorded two items of note: an advisory concerning slight play in the offside rear wheel bearing and a minor defect noting that the dust cover on the nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint is severely deteriorated. Looking at the broader history, the vehicle has now passed six consecutive tests since an isolated fail in July 2023, but the nature of the advisories issued over the last three years indicates a gradual accumulation of wear rather than an improving or even stable maintenance picture. In 2023 there were advisories relating to both front suspension arm pins or bushes, both front tyres approaching the legal limit, and a noisy rear wheel bearing. By 2025 the rear wheel bearing had progressed from noisy to slightly noisy, and in 2026 it has now been recorded as having slight play, demonstrating that this component has been steadily deteriorating and is likely to fail at a subsequent test if left unremediated. Annual mileage of approximately 8,375 miles is broadly typical for an eleven year old vehicle, and the recorded progression from around 65,000 miles in 2020 to 92,122 miles today is consistent with steady, moderate accumulation rather than long periods of standing or unusually high use. This pattern suggests the vehicle has been used regularly enough to keep mechanical components free from prolonged inactivity issues such as seized calipers or moisture contamination of fluids, but it has also accumulated enough wear on consumable and suspension parts to produce the advisories seen in recent years. The mileage gap between tests is consistent and there are no obvious signs of clock irregularity or extended off-road periods. The recurring advisories relating to the offside rear wheel bearing deserve particular attention during a pre-purchase inspection. A wheel bearing with slight play will typically present on a test drive as a humming or rumbling noise that increases with vehicle speed and may change pitch or temporarily diminish when cornering, as load transfers across the bearing. Continued running with excessive play is not advisable as it may ultimately cause the bearing to seize or detach, and replacement is therefore an impending cost. The front suspension arm pin or bush advisories from 2023 should also be rechecked, as worn bushes tend to produce clonking noises over speed humps, uneven tyre wear across the front axle, and imprecise steering, particularly over broken surfaces. The severely deteriorated dust cover on the anti-roll bar linkage ball joint should be inspected physically to confirm whether moisture ingress has already caused corrosion or play in the joint itself, as a perished boot will only accelerate wear of the joint underneath. Beyond the recorded defects, an eleven year old vehicle with moderate mileage warrants a thorough age-based inspection. Tyres should be examined for sidewall perishing and cracking regardless of tread depth, as rubber degrades with calendar age and a tyre can fail roadworthiness requirements due to visible sidewall damage even if the tread remains legal. The braking system should be checked visually for corroded or scored discs, particularly if the vehicle has spent any extended periods unused, and the caliper slides should be confirmed to move freely without binding. The 12 volt battery should be load tested, as units of this age frequently hold insufficient charge even when the vehicle appears to start normally. Coolant, brake fluid, and automatic or manual transmission fluid should be confirmed as being within their respective manufacturer service intervals, as all three degrade over time irrespective of mileage. Finally, the exhaust system should be inspected for corrosion at the mounting brackets, flexi section, and rear silencer, and the underbody should be examined for any surface corrosion beginning to appear on structural or load-bearing panels, as this is increasingly common on vehicles of this age operating in the UK climate.