2010 Citroen C1 1.0L Petrol · WF10 LOJ

The most recent DVSA examination on 1 April 2026 resulted in a Pass, which is positive, however the advisory recorded at that test deserves serious attention. The offside front lower suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement indicates that the front suspension linkage is beginning to deteriorate. This is a known wear item on higher-mileage vehicles of this age, and on a car now showing 126,121 miles it suggests that the front axle components are approaching the point at which renewal will become necessary. Looking back across the recorded history, the maintenance trend appears to be gradually worsening rather than stable or improving. The 2023 test was clean apart from rusty front shock absorber bodies, the 2024 pass was entirely free from advisories, but the 2025 test introduced multiple advisories covering tyres, sub-frame corrosion and greased or undersealed brake pipes and hoses, followed by the suspension arm bush advisory in 2026. The 2025 failure for headlamp aim and a non-functioning front position lamp was relatively minor in nature but reinforces that several items have required attention in a short period. With 126,121 miles recorded over approximately 16 years, the vehicle has covered an average of around 7,883 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a small city car of this type. There is no evidence within the supplied MOT history of significant gaps in mileage accumulation or of rapid acceleration in recorded miles between tests, suggesting reasonably consistent use rather than long periods of standing or unusual driving patterns. That said, a sixteen-year-old Citroen C1 carrying six-figure mileage will inevitably be approaching the latter stages of component life for wear items such as the clutch, exhaust system, engine mounts, gearbox oil seals, and suspension bushes, regardless of how gently it has been used. Given the suspension bush advisory, a prospective buyer should carry out a careful test drive paying particular attention to the front end over broken surfaces, speed humps and during sharp steering inputs. Any clonking, knocking or rattling from the front suspension, vague or wandering steering, uneven front tyre wear across the tread, or a feeling of instability under braking would suggest the offside lower arm bush has progressed beyond acceptable limits and requires replacement. It is also worth inspecting the offside front tyre inner and outer edges for uneven wear, as a worn suspension bush will frequently cause accelerated or feathered shoulder wear. The 2025 advisory for nearside front and nearside rear tyres being close to the legal limit means the car has very likely been fitted with new tyres since, but verify the age and condition of all four tyres, including any perished sidewalls or cracking in the rubber which can occur on age even where tread depth remains adequate. The advisory regarding a corroded rear sub-frame axle beam should prompt a visual inspection from beneath the vehicle to confirm there is no serious perforation or flaking that could compromise structural integrity in the near future. The advisory noting that brake pipes and hoses have been greased or undersealed is worth investigating further. While this is sometimes carried out as a preventative measure to extend the life of original steel brake lines that are beginning to show surface corrosion, it can also be used to disguise underlying deterioration. On a test drive, listen for any scraping or grinding from the brakes, feel for any softness or excessive travel in the brake pedal, and watch for warning lights on the dashboard. Given the mileage and age, it would also be prudent to budget for time-based servicing items that may not be evident from MOT data alone, including replacement of the 12V battery, coolant, brake fluid and engine oil if these have not been recently refreshed, inspection of the timing chain or belt depending on the engine variant fitted, and a check of the exhaust system for internal corrosion. Finally, with any high-mileage small car of this vintage, verify the service book history and ask for evidence of recent cambelt or chain replacement, clutch feel, and gearbox operation, as these represent the most significant impending expenditure items on a vehicle of this age and mileage profile.