2014 Citroen C1 1.0L Petrol · WD63 AAZ

The most recent DVSA examination on 23 July 2025 resulted in a PASS, with the only mandatory defect recorded being a minor inoperative nearside rear registration plate lamp, which is a trivial electrical concern easily resolved with a bulb replacement. However, the prior test on 22 July 2025 failed dangerously due to an offside front tyre with a tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, indicating that the tyres had been allowed to wear to an unsafe level immediately before this successful retest. The overall trend across the last three years shows a noticeable deterioration in roadworthiness, with the 2024 and 2025 tests carrying an increasing volume of advisories covering perished suspension bushes, corroded exhaust components, and aged tyres. This accumulating advisory pattern suggests that while the vehicle remains fundamentally serviceable, it is entering a phase where age-related wear items are beginning to require attention, and the standard of preparation before MOT submission has been inconsistent. Against the vehicle age of twelve years, the recorded mileage of 74,982 miles equates to an average annual accumulation of roughly 6,250 miles, which is broadly typical for a small city-oriented hatchback of this category. The recorded MOT entries do not reveal any significant standing periods or mileage gaps, indicating that the car has been in regular use throughout its life, which is generally beneficial for the preservation of mechanical seals, brake components, and the 12V battery. Regular use of this nature tends to discourage the development of seized calipers and persistent brake disc corrosion, although the advisories relating to perished suspension bushes and corroded brake hose ferrules demonstrate that calendar age remains a significant factor regardless of distance covered. For a prospective buyer, the recurring advisories on perished tyres warrant particular scrutiny, as the sidewall cracking flagged at both rear wheels in 2025 is a classic indicator of aged rubber compound degradation, even where the tread depth appears legal. On a test drive, listen carefully for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly on speed humps and during full lock turns, as the perished front lower arm rear bushes identified in the latest test will progressively allow increased movement and can compromise steering precision and tyre wear patterns. Visually inspect the front tyres for uneven inner or outer shoulder wear, which would confirm accelerated bush degradation. The brake hoses flagged with slight ferrule corrosion should be examined for any surface rust and checked for firmness under pedal pressure, as corroded ferrules can eventually lead to fluid weeping and require replacement. Additionally, examine the exhaust system from the manifold rearwards for any visible perforation or significant section loss consistent with the general corrosion advisory issued in 2024. Beyond the documented defects, a vehicle of this age and mileage requires careful attention to several time-served components that fall outside the scope of standard MOT testing. The 12V battery should be load-tested, as units beyond five years of service frequently struggle to maintain charge, particularly if the vehicle is used predominantly for short urban journeys. Inspect the coolant and brake fluid for colour and clarity, noting that brake fluid is hygroscopic and should ideally be renewed every two years regardless of mileage, while engine oil on the dipstick should be checked for a dark, sludgy appearance indicating overdue servicing. Examine the condition of the timing chain or belt service history according to manufacturer schedules, verify that the cam and auxiliary belts show no signs of fraying or glazing, and confirm that the service book contains evidence of regular oil and filter changes at appropriate intervals. Finally, ensure that all warning lamps extinguish promptly after engine start and that the cooling fan operates correctly, particularly given the tropical conditions that can stress older air-conditioning and engine cooling systems in this model.