2003 Citroen C3 1.4L Petrol · RJ53 HMV

The vehicle presents a concerning mechanical profile with a worsening trend in structural and suspension integrity. While it passed its most recent test in September 2025 at 118,017 miles, this result followed a significant failure just one day prior. The advisories from the latest pass reveal multiple developing faults, specifically regarding rear wheel bearings and suspension ball joints that have persisted across several years. The presence of an insecure sub-frame attachment bracket in the September 2025 failure indicates that the structural integrity of the chassis is reaching a critical stage. At 23 years old, the recorded mileage of 118,017 miles represents a low average of approximately 5,131 miles per year. This low usage suggests the car has not been subjected to heavy mileage, but it also highlights environmental degradation. Between September 2023 at 103,635 miles and September 2025 at 118,017 miles, the vehicle covered roughly 14,000 miles, yet this period saw the transition from minor corrosion to structural-level failures on the sub-frame and suspension mountings. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the underside, focusing on the rear suspension mountings and seat belt anchorages. The record shows a recurring history of corrosion in these areas, progressing from 'not considered excessive' in 2023 to 'excessively corroded' in 2024. The rear wheel bearings have been flagged as noisy since 2024 and are now described as very noisy and starting to fail, suggesting they require immediate replacement. Furthermore, the nearside front ball joints and anti-roll bar linkages show persistent play, indicating that the suspension components are nearing the end of their functional life.