2010 Citroen C1 1.0L Petrol · PL10 HGC

A 2010 Citroen C1 carrying 103,237 miles presents an unusually positive mechanical narrative for a sixteen year old city car, with five consecutive DVSA tests from 2021 through 2025 all returning a clean pass and no advisories or defects recorded at any point. That pattern is noteworthy because the C1 platform, shared with the Peugeot 107 and Toyota Aygo, is generally robust but still expected to surface wear related advisories on suspension, exhaust, or braking components as it accumulates double digit annual MOT tests. The complete absence of any flagged items across a five year window indicates that this particular example has either been exceptionally well maintained or has covered the bulk of its mileage in light urban conditions that place minimal stress on wear components. The latest test on 11 August 2025 confirmed continued roadworthiness, and there is no evidence of deteriorating trajectory between tests. The recorded mileage of 103,237 against an age of roughly sixteen years equates to an average of about 6,452 miles per year, which sits comfortably within the expected range for a vehicle of this type and era. There are no apparent gaps in the annual testing record, with tests consistently falling in the August to October window from 2021 onwards, suggesting the car has remained in regular use throughout the recent period rather than being laid up for extended periods. The absence of mileage figures within the MOT records themselves means exact annual accumulation cannot be verified, although the consistent test dates imply continuous road use. Mechanically, this level of usage on a small capacity three cylinder petrol is modest and places far less cumulative load on the engine, clutch, and gearbox than a higher mileage equivalent, while still keeping seals, hoses, and rubber components from the worst effects of long term static degradation. For a prospective buyer, the lack of advisories means there are no specific flagged components to target with extra scrutiny, but the age and mileage still warrant a focused physical inspection of the items most prone to wear on this chassis. On a test drive, listen for any clonking or knocking from the rear axle over uneven surfaces, as the torsion beam rear suspension fitted to the C1 is known to develop worn trailing arm bushes that only become audible under load. Check for any pulling to one side under braking, which can indicate binding front calipers or a worn front brake servo, and feel for vibration through the steering wheel or brake pedal that might point to warped front discs, a common issue given the front disc and rear drum configuration. Inspect the underside for any surface corrosion on subframe or suspension components, particularly around the rear beam mounting points, and verify that the exhaust system is solid with no blowing joints, as exhaust mounting rubbers and the rear silencer are routine replacement items on cars of this age. Beyond the suspension and braking checks, attention should be paid to the cooling system and drive belts, since the 1.0 litre three cylinder engine relies on a timing chain rather than a belt and any rattles on cold start from the front of the unit could indicate chain stretch, which would be a significant future cost. Examine the underbonnet area for any signs of oil misting around the cam cover gasket and oil filter housing, both known weep points on this engine family, and confirm that the coolant is clean and at the correct level with no staining around the radiator or thermostat housing. Finally, check the operation of the sliding rear sunroof if fitted, as the mechanism can seize with age, and ensure the gear selection is smooth with no synchroken on second or third gear, since the five speed manual gearbox is generally durable but can develop wear on higher mileage examples. A clean MOT history removes most of the uncertainty around the fundamental roadworthiness items, leaving only the typical age related consumables and wear components to evaluate on a physical inspection.