2010 Citroen C3 1.6L Diesel · PL10 VGX

A persistent pattern of brake-related wear and component deterioration defines the recorded MOT history of this 2010 Citroen C3. Across every test from 2020 onwards, both front and rear brake discs have attracted advisories for being worn, pitted, or scored, with the January 2023 test culminating in a failure for excessive brake fluctuation at both axles and brake discs considered significantly and obviously worn. That the front discs reached this severity suggests the condition had been progressing for some time, consistent with the recurring pitting advisories of the preceding three years. The same January 2023 test also failed on a non-functioning offside front position lamp, an isolated electrical issue but one worth verifying has been resolved. Other recorded failures include a 2018 test that caught an inoperative dipped headlamp, an inadequately supported exhaust system, nearside rear brake pads worn below the 1.5 mm minimum, and a Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicating an airbag fault, the latter of which is a safety-critical item requiring confirmation of rectification. Recorded mileage stands at 71,619 miles across roughly sixteen years, yielding an annual accumulation of around 4,476 miles, which is notably low for the age and points to either limited regular use or extended periods of standing. The MOT record itself begins in January 2018, leaving a significant gap between the vehicle's registration and that first test, so the pre-2018 history cannot be substantiated from these records. The post-2018 testing frequency is annual and consistent, which means the car has been used on public roads regularly enough to require testing, but the modest annual mileage is consistent with the relatively slow progression of advisories into the 2023 brake disc failure, as wear accumulates gradually rather than aggressively. Low-mileage vehicles of this age often present concerns around ageing rubber components, dried seals, and corrosion in areas not routinely stressed, so any standing time should be considered a factor alongside the modest mileage itself. For a prospective buyer, the brake system should be the foremost focus of physical inspection and a test drive. With the 2023 test recording fluctuating braking effort at both axles, the discs and calipers will have required attention, and it is essential to confirm the fitment of new discs and pads and to verify that the caliper sliders are free, particularly on the rear where binding is common on C3s of this generation. On the move, the brake pedal should feel firm and progressive without judder or excessive travel, and any pulling to one side under braking would indicate a sticking caliper or uneven pad wear. Given the 2018 failure for rear brake pads below 1.5 mm and the subsequent disc advisories, a thorough inspection of the brake pipes for corrosion, particularly along the underbody and rear axle, is warranted, as is a check of the handbrake mechanism for adequate holding on an incline. The 2018 Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp fault should be investigated thoroughly, as this indicates an airbag or seatbelt pretensioner fault that may not have been properly diagnosed or rectified, and a diagnostic scan confirming no stored crash sensor or airbag faults would be prudent. The 2018 exhaust support failure and the 2019 oil leak advisory both warrant a physical inspection from underneath the vehicle, looking for fresh oil residues around the engine sump, valve cover gasket, and any wetness on the cat or exhaust hangers, while also checking the exhaust mounting rubbers for cracking. The 2020 and 2019 advisories for slight play in the nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint suggest the anti-roll bar bushes and drop links should be inspected for free movement and cracking on a test drive, with particular attention to any knocking or clonking over uneven surfaces. Finally, the 2023 advisory of a slightly damaged or perished nearside front tyre should prompt a close inspection of the sidewalls for cracking and of the tread depth across all four corners, as low-mileage cars with older tyres frequently suffer sidewall degradation that is not immediately apparent from tread wear alone.