2010 Citroen C3 1.6L Diesel · YP60 VML

A pattern of brake-related advisories and tyre deterioration dominates the roadworthiness record on this 2010 Citroen C3, with the most recent test on 13 April 2026 producing a pass but flagging slight damage to the offside front seat belt webbing. Across eight recorded tests between 2020 and 2026, the vehicle has passed six and failed on two occasions, both failures concentrated in 2021 and 2023. The 2021 failure was a dangerous defect for an exposed ply on the nearside front tyre, while the 2023 failure centred on an inoperative windscreen washer, accompanied by advisories for thinning rear brake pads and lipping on both front and rear brake discs. The recurrence of brake disc scoring across multiple years, combined with two tyre-related advisories in 2024 and the dangerous tyre failure in 2021, suggests the braking and undercarriage consumables have been under steady demand and warrant close physical inspection rather than reliance on the clean pass outcomes alone. With 44,562 miles recorded against a 16-year vehicle age, annual accumulation averages around 2,785 miles, which is notably low for a car of this vintage. The mileage progression across tests confirms a slow, steady accumulation with no sudden jumps, but the gaps between tests (such as the interval between November 2020 and October 2021) are consistent with a vehicle that sees irregular rather than daily use. Mechanically, low annual mileage on an ageing C3 often translates to prolonged periods of stationary operation, which can encourage corrosion in the braking system, drying of rubber components, and degradation of suspension bushes that only become apparent under load. The fact that advisories have clustered around brake discs, pads, and tyre condition aligns with the typical wear profile of a lightly used but older vehicle where rubber and friction materials deteriorate through age as much as through mileage. A prospective buyer should focus their inspection on the braking system, particularly checking for further lipping, pitting, or corrosion on all four discs and measuring remaining pad material, as the rear pads were noted as wearing thin in 2023 and the front discs were heavily scored at that point. On a test drive, listen for any knocking or clonking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, which would indicate worn top mounts or anti-roll bar linkages commonly affected on C3s of this generation, and pay particular attention to steering response, as vague or wandering behaviour could point to worn tie-der-ends or droplinks. The tyres should be examined closely for cracking, sidewall damage, and minimum tread depth, given the history of perishing advisories in 2024 and the dangerous exposed-cord failure in 2021; the spare should also be checked as a precautionary measure. Finally, the seat belt webbing flagged in the latest advisory should be physically inspected for fraying along its length, and a full function test conducted to confirm smooth retraction, as a damaged belt represents both a safety concern and a likely future test failure.