2013 Citroen C1 1.0L Petrol · WN63 JBX

The 2013 Citroen C1 presents a generally consistent roadworthiness record across its most recent tests, with three consecutive passes in 2022, 2023 and 2024 free of any recorded defects. However, the September 2025 test introduced a single failure on both front headlamps, where the projected beam image was judged obviously incorrect and recorded as a PRS (pass after rectification) defect, alongside three advisories covering the rear tyres and both front anti-roll bar linkage pins or bushes. The presence of the headlamp aim issue is a notable departure from the otherwise clean prior history, though it is an item readily addressed by adjustment rather than indicative of deeper structural or mechanical concern. The pattern across the four documented tests is one of stable roadworthiness with a small cluster of advisories emerging on the most recent examination, primarily affecting front suspension and rear tyres, which a buyer should treat as early-warning items rather than critical faults. Mileage accumulation for this thirteen-year-old vehicle stands at 84,883 recorded miles, equating to approximately 6,529 miles annually, which sits comfortably within typical usage parameters for a city-oriented C1 of this generation. There are no extended gaps between testing intervals that would suggest prolonged periods off the road, and the consistent year-on-year MOT pattern indicates the car has remained in regular use. For a vehicle of this mileage and age, the wear rate is not excessive, though attention should be given to the fact that components such as suspension bushes, exhaust mountings, and brake components will have accumulated considerable stress over this mileage. The relatively even usage pattern provides a reasonable basis for mechanical evaluation, without the complications that extreme underuse or sporadic high-mileage running can introduce. For a prospective buyer, the front anti-roll bar linkage advisories recorded on both nearside and offside sides warrant close physical inspection. The component should be checked for play by hand, with the wheel unloaded, paying particular attention to the pin and bush interface where wear typically manifests as a knock or rattle transmitted through the body over uneven road surfaces. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension, particularly over speed humps, cats eyes, and broken tarmac, and feel for any vagueness or looseness through the steering that could indicate the bushes have deteriorated further since the advisory was issued. Given that both sides were flagged simultaneously, replacement of the anti-roll bar drop links as a paired operation is the most practical course of action. The rear tyre advisory noting slight damage, cracking or perishing on both rear tyres should prompt a close visual inspection of the sidewalls and tread face for age-related cracking, bulges, or cuts. Perished rubber can compromise grip, particularly in wet conditions, and uneven wear patterns may suggest alignment or suspension geometry issues that tie back to the worn anti-roll bar components. The 2022 advisory on both front inner tyres being worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edge suggests a historical tendency towards inner-edge wear, which is common on small city cars and can indicate worn suspension components or tracking irregularities, so the current front tyre condition should be examined for similar patterns. Finally, both headlamps should be inspected for correct alignment against a flat surface, as the PRS failure in 2025 indicates that aim had drifted beyond acceptable limits, and any condensation within the headlamp units or damage to the lens adjusters should be ruled out before purchase.