2015 Citroen C1 1.0L Petrol · RO15 OSF

A 2015 Citroen C1 with this MOT profile carries a recurring theme of front-end suspension and brake wear advisories rather than any structural or major mechanical concerns. Across seven recorded tests since 2020, the vehicle has only failed once, on 28 May 2022, for an inoperative nearside front position lamp, which is a trivial repair and unrelated to underlying mechanical condition. The 2026 test at 48,560 miles returned a clean pass with no advisories, while the 2025 test flagged wear on both front anti-roll bar linkage pins or bushes, the 2023 test noted a binding nearside front service brake, and the 2021 test recorded thin front brake pads alongside worn front brake discs and cracked rear tyres. The pattern points to steady but progressive degradation of front suspension and braking consumables rather than any sudden deterioration, with the most recent pass suggesting the linkage components were either replaced or have not yet progressed to excessive movement. Recorded mileage of 48,560 miles over an 11-year span equates to roughly 4,415 miles annually, which is substantially below the typical accumulation for a city car of this age and suggests either light private use, significant periods of standing, or a mix of both. The MOT cadence shows annual testing without multi-year gaps, so the vehicle has clearly remained on the road and in regular use rather than being laid up for extended periods, which reduces the likelihood of the dried seals, seized calipers, and deteriorated brake fluid often associated with low-mileage stored vehicles. Annual mileage between recorded tests cannot be calculated because individual test-readings are not provided beyond the current odometer value, but the regularity of testing combined with the modest overall figure suggests gentle, consistent usage. Mechanically, lower mileage typically preserves engine, gearbox, and clutch life while allowing brake discs, tyres, and certain suspension joints to deteriorate from age and standing exposure as much as from wear. For a prospective buyer, the front anti-roll bar linkage advisories recorded in 2025 are the most relevant items to scrutinise, as the components in question connect the anti-roll bar to the suspension upright and control body roll through corners. On a test drive, listen for clonking or rattling noises from the front end when travelling over speed bumps, driveway kerbs, or uneven tarmac, and feel for any slack or knocking when manually rocking the front wheels with the car jacked or when turning the steering from lock to lock at very low speed. Although the 2025 advisories specified that movement was not yet excessive, anti-roll bar bushes and link pins are inexpensive parts that can progress between MOTs, so a physical check on a ramp or during a wheel-off inspection is worthwhile. The brake-related advisories from 2021 and 2023 also warrant attention on a road test. The 2021 entry noted front brake pads wearing thin and front brake discs worn, while the 2023 test recorded the nearside front brake binding slightly, a condition that can lead to uneven braking, a pulling sensation to one side under deceleration, and accelerated disc wear due to constant drag. On the test drive, pay attention to whether the car pulls left under firm braking, whether the nearside front wheel feels notably hotter than the offside wheel after a short drive, and whether the steering wheel shimmers or the brake pedal pulses, any of which would suggest a binding caliper or warped discs. The cracked rear tyres flagged in 2020 and 2021 should be confirmed as replaced with current rubber showing adequate tread and no sidewall deterioration, as age-related cracking can reappear on a vehicle kept largely outdoors. Beyond these specific points, listen for any suspension knocks over rough roads, check for steering vagueness or uneven tyre wear indicating alignment or component issues, and verify that all exterior lamps function, given the prior position lamp failure.