2010 Citroen C1 1.0L Petrol · SL60 VRN

A 2010 Citroen C1 with 112,306 miles recorded presents a mixed but informative mechanical picture, with a notable cluster of brake and corrosion-related advisories appearing in recent years rather than a uniformly clean record. The latest test on 22 January 2026 was a pass, though an advisory was raised for an offside rear tyre worn close to the legal limit on its edge, mirroring a similar advisory on the nearside rear in January 2023. More concerning is the failed test on 3 January 2023, which identified two major defects: an offside rear service brake excessively binding and an offside rear parking brake inoperative on one side, alongside an advisory for pitted front brake discs. The 2022 test additionally flagged a minor exhaust gas leak and an offside rear brake binding (advisory level only), while the 2021 test recorded corrosion on the rear shock absorbers, brake pipes covered in grease or other material, and a corroded brake servo body. Following these, the 2024 and 2025 tests returned clean pass results with no advisories, suggesting either remedial attention to the braking and underbody areas or a period where no fresh issues reached advisory threshold, though the underlying corrosion flagged on the rear shocks, brake servo, and brake pipes remains a documented historical concern on a 16-year-old vehicle of this mileage. The mileage pattern is broadly typical for the vehicle's age, accumulating at roughly 7,019 miles per year, which is consistent with regular commuter or urban use rather than long-distance touring or extended periods off the road. The testing history is largely consecutive from 2019 through 2026, indicating the car has been in active use and presented for annual inspection each year, with the only minor anomaly being the two tests recorded within two days in January 2023, almost certainly an initial fail followed by an immediate retest after repair. There are no multi-year gaps that would raise concerns about dormant corrosion, stale fluids, or seized components from standing, but neither is this a low-mileage example where wear items would be expected to last considerably longer. At this annual mileage, consumables such as tyres, brake pads, brake discs, and exhaust components will have been replaced multiple times, while suspension components, brake pipes, and servo units will have been subject to continuous exposure to road salts and moisture. For a prospective buyer, the rear braking system warrants particular attention on a physical inspection and test drive. The 2023 failure for an excessively binding offside rear service brake and an inoperative parking brake on that side should be confirmed as fully rectified, and during a test drive any pulling under braking, uneven application, or a handbrake that fails to hold the car on an incline should be treated as a serious concern. The advisories on front brake disc pitting and the subsequent clean tests suggest the discs may have been replaced or skimmed, but a visual check of disc surfaces for lipping, rust scoring, or uneven wear is worthwhile. The exhaust gas leak noted in 2022 should also be re-examined, as minor leaks at joints or flexi sections tend to progress on older vehicles, and a listen for ticking under load or a smell of fumes in the cabin would be informative. The underbody corrosion advisories from 2021 deserve specific scrutiny, as corrosion on rear shock absorbers, brake pipes, and the brake servo body on a C1 of this vintage is consistent with the broader pattern seen on small Citroens and Peugeots of this generation exposed to winter road salt. A pre-purchase inspection on a ramp is advisable to confirm the current state of the rear brake pipes along their full length, the shock absorber bodies for surface corrosion versus deeper structural rust, and the brake servo for any fluid weeping or external deterioration. On the road, listen for any knocking or clonking from the rear suspension over bumps, which could indicate worn shock absorber mounts or corroded damper shafts seizing, and check for a brake pedal that feels soft or spongy, which could suggest servo or hydraulic issues linked to the historical servo corrosion advisory. The recurring rear tyre edge wear pattern across multiple years also warrants a check of rear wheel alignment and rear suspension geometry, as consistent one-sided wear on the same axle can point to worn bushes or a weakened spring rather than purely tyre-related causes.