2010 Citroen C3 1.6L Diesel · SP59 RZX

A pattern of recurring lighting failures and suspension component wear defines the recent mechanical history of this vehicle, culminating in a failed test on 9 July 2025. While the car passed its most recent inspection on that same date, the record shows a trend of significant defects, including a dangerous failure for non-functional rear stop lamps and major failures regarding both front position lamps and excessively worn anti-roll bar linkage ball joints. The transition from a clean record in 2023 to multiple failures in 2024 and 2025 suggests a recent increase in the frequency of component degradation or a shift in how defects are being identified during testing. The vehicle has covered 138,047 miles over its 16-year lifespan, which averages to approximately 8,628 miles per year. This mileage accumulation is consistent with typical annual usage for a vehicle of this age, suggesting it has not been subject to extreme high-mileage motorway use nor has it been left stationary for extended periods. Mechanically, this level of usage implies that consumables such as braking systems, suspension bushings, and drive shaft components are reaching expected wear stages for a vehicle of this vintage. Prospective buyers should pay close attention to the suspension and drivetrain components, specifically the anti-roll bar linkages and drive shaft constant velocity boots, which have appeared as failure points in multiple recent tests. During a test drive, listen for knocking or clunking noises when driving over uneven surfaces or speed bumps, which may indicate worn ball joints or linkages. Additionally, the offside front wheel bearing was flagged as slightly noisy in the July 2025 advisory; you should listen for a consistent humming or droning sound that increases in pitch with vehicle speed, particularly when cornering. The braking system also warrants scrutiny due to a history of advisories regarding pitted and scored brake discs across all four corners in 2021 and 2022. While these were not listed as immediate failures in the most recent tests, the recurring nature of disc wear suggests the braking components are frequently operating near their service limits. On the test drive, check for any pedal judder or vibrations when applying the brakes at various speeds, which can be a symptom of unevenly worn or heavily scored discs.