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Before you buy a used Citroën C1.

2005–2022 · Petrol · 1 engine

Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.

Citroën C1, real photo of this generation
Rudolf Stricker · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Photo source

The essentials.

Typical faults by engine

The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.

1.0 / 1.2 VTi

Petrol

  • Water pump and clutch on the 1.0 VVT-i (1KR-FE)Cooling
    Period mentioned
    Approx. 2005–2011
    Mileage mentioned
    The sheet does not mention a mileage.

    Applies if: Only the first generation with the Toyota 1.0 engine (1KR-FE).

  • Clutch and x-shift automated gearbox on the Aygo, 108 and C1 (2014–2022)Gearbox
    Period mentioned
    2014–2022
    Mileage mentioned
    The sheet does not mention a mileage.

    Applies if: Only the second generation (2014–2022) with the 1.0 engine.

  • Citroën C1 (II) 1.0 / 1.2 VTi: known faults of the engine according to L'argusEngine
    Period mentioned
    2014–2022
    Mileage mentioned
    What the sheet says: According to the brand's technical notes reported by L'argus (each date shows up to when the affected cars were built): 1) [1.0 VTi] Hard starting (up to 01/12/2014): Exhaust manifold. 2) [1.0 VTi] Loss of power (up to 28/06/2017): Variable valve timing solenoid. 3) [1.0 VTi] Engine, ABS and ESP lights on: Engine control unit (up to 01/12/2015) or downstream oxygen sensor (up to 30/04/2018). 4) [1.0 VTi] Oil pressure light on below −10 °C (up to 13/06/2016): Oil strainer and sump. 5) Engine warning light on: Vacuum solenoid valve (up to 13/02/2015) or catalytic converter (up to 01/03/2015). 6) Engine noise (up to 17/03/2016): Accessory belt. 7) Engine warning light on (up to 19/07/2016): Ignition coil. 8) Accessory belt noise (up to 12/03/2017): Belt to be replaced. 9) Oil pressure light on (up to 27/01/2019): Oil pump. 10) Loss of power, oil pressure light and loss of brake assistance from premature timing belt wear (until the end of production): New timing belt and, if needed, oil and vacuum pumps or the whole engine. Warranty extended to 10 years or 175,000 km. 11) Excessive oil consumption (over 0.25 l per 1,000 km) until the end of production: Water outlet housing or engine.

    Applies if: Only the second-generation C1 (from 2014).

  • Citroën C1 (II): known faults of the gearbox and transmission according to L'argusGearbox
    Period mentioned
    2014–2022
    Mileage mentioned
    The sheet does not mention a mileage.

    Applies if: Only the second-generation C1 (from 2014).

  • Citroën C1 (II): known faults of the chassis, steering and brakes according to L'argusSuspension and steering
    Period mentioned
    2014–2022
    Mileage mentioned
    The sheet does not mention a mileage.

    Applies if: Only the second-generation C1 (from 2014).

  • Citroën C1 (II): known faults of the electronics and interior according to L'argusElectrical and electronic systems
    Period mentioned
    2014–2022
    Mileage mentioned
    The sheet does not mention a mileage.

    Applies if: Only the second-generation C1 (from 2014).

  • Citroën C1 (II): known faults of the body according to L'argusBodywork
    Period mentioned
    2014–2022
    Mileage mentioned
    The sheet does not mention a mileage.

    Applies if: Only the second-generation C1 (from 2014).

Official recalls: ask before you pay

A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.

  1. Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
  2. Ask an official Citroën dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
  3. Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Incorrect bonding of rear window to hingesBodywork

How to check it: Check by VIN; inspect the bond and rebond or replace the glass as appropriate.

View full entry

On the test drive: what to look and listen for

Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.

0 of 7 checked

Cooling

  • Look out for: Coolant loss with coloured residue next to the pump and rising temperature; a clutch that slips or squeals and hard gear changes earlier than normal.

    Ask them to check: Look for dried coolant residue under the pump and watch the level. Test the clutch pulling away on a hill; if it is replaced, ask for the improved version.

Gearbox

  • Look out for: A clutch that slips or judders too early; with the x-shift gearbox, jerks, slow shifts or fault warnings.

    Ask them to check: Test the clutch pulling away on a hill and with the car loaded; with the x-shift, read the codes and run the clutch relearn before replacing parts.

  • Look out for: Noise and vibration in 5th at 130 km/h on the 1.2 (up to 14/09/2016); Hard to change gear on the 1.0 (up to 14/03/2017); Faults and slipping of the ETG automated gearbox (up to 14/03/2017)

    Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.

Engine

  • Look out for: [1.0 VTi] Hard starting (up to 01/12/2014); [1.0 VTi] Loss of power (up to 28/06/2017); [1.0 VTi] Engine, ABS and ESP lights on; [1.0 VTi] Oil pressure light on below −10 °C (up to 13/06/2016); Engine warning light on; Engine noise (up to 17/03/2016); Engine warning light on (up to 19/07/2016); Accessory belt noise (up to 12/03/2017); Oil pressure light on (up to 27/01/2019); Loss of power, oil pressure light and loss of brake assistance from premature timing belt wear (until the end of production); Excessive oil consumption (over 0.25 l per 1,000 km) until the end of production

    Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.

Suspension and steering

  • Look out for: Steering column knocking (up to 21/01/2015); Noises at the rear (up to 06/10/2015); Squeal from the front wheels (up to 26/06/2016)

    Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.

Electrical and electronic systems

  • Look out for: Indicator faults (up to 23/03/2015); Instrument needle stuck (up to 30/04/2015); ABS/ESP light on (up to 14/05/2015); USB source greyed out (up to 02/11/2015); Fuel gauge faults (up to 29/05/2016); Tailgate will not open in hot weather (up to 01/07/2016); Water at the driver's feet (up to 02/02/2018); Air conditioning compressor noise (up to 09/09/2019); Automatic emergency braking fault (up to 16/01/2018); Front electric window faults (up to 28/02/2020)

    Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.

Bodywork

  • Look out for: Water gets into the boot; Door mirrors cannot be adjusted (up to 12/01/2015); Front door frame seal deformed (up to 08/05/2017); Noise from the door check straps (up to 07/07/2017); Tailgate hard to open (from 02/07/2016 to 30/11/2018)

    Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.

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