2009 Citroen C3 1.4L Petrol · YP59 ETL

The 2009 Citroen C3 holds a valid MOT certificate issued on 10 April 2026 at 68,519 miles, but the maintenance picture is mixed. The most recent test passed, yet it carried over two unresolved advisories from the failed inspection on 31 March 2026: a non-functioning central rear upper stop lamp and an oil leak classified as not excessive. The tester also flagged corrosion to the offside rear outer sill, noting that structural rigidity was not significantly reduced at the time of test. Taken together, the trend is neither clearly improving nor sharply worsening. The car has been kept on the road with minor faults tolerated across multiple cycles, which suggests a pattern of reactive rather than preventative upkeep. At roughly 4,031 miles per year, the recorded mileage is low for a 17-year-old vehicle. The 2026 tests were conducted within nine days of each other at virtually identical readings, indicating the car covered negligible distance between the failure and the retest. Between April 2025 at 65,908 miles and April 2026 at 68,519 miles, the car added approximately 2,611 miles in twelve months, confirming genuinely light use. The MOT record itself is consistent, with no large gaps in testing history, so there is no evidence of extended periods off the road or missing annual tests. The recurring oil leak, noted in every test from April 2024 onward, warrants close attention. While consistently assessed as not excessive, a persistent leak of this nature over three years points to a deteriorating gasket or seal that has never been properly addressed. A buyer should inspect the engine and underside for fresh oil residue, paying particular attention to the rocker cover, camshaft seals, and oil sump. The front brake discs have been flagged as worn, pitted, or scored in every test since April 2025, and the pads were below 1.5 mm in March 2026. This suggests the braking system has been run close to its wear limits repeatedly. Have the discs and pads replaced and check for any lipping, hot-sporing, or uneven wear that could indicate a sticking caliper or seized slider pin. The corrosion advisory on the offside rear outer sill is the most structurally significant finding. Although the tester judged rigidity not significantly reduced in April 2026, corrosion on integral body structure is a progressive condition. A buyer should probe the affected sill with a thin pick or screwdriver where legally and practically possible, checking for soft metal, perforation, or previous cosmetic cover-ups with filler. The worn rear tyres flagged in April 2025 and the failed nearside rear direction indicator in March 2026 point to basic consumable and electrical upkeep being neglected. Inspect all tyre dates, tread depths, and sidewalls, and verify every exterior lamp functions correctly before purchase.