Used Citroen C1 buying guide (2005 to 2022): which one to buy and what to check

Which used Citroen C1 should you buy?

A Mk1 C1 from the 2009 facelift onwards is the safer buy, because 1.0 petrol cars built before it carry a serious known fault for the clutch wearing out early, at 20,000 to 50,000 miles and sometimes within two and a half years, and cars from the facelift were built with a larger clutch. Those earlier cars are also covered by a recall for a sticking accelerator pedal, so a 2005 to 2009 car needs proof it's been done.

The facelift doesn't sidestep everything. Every C1 from 2005 to 2014 falls under a serious known fault for leaking water pumps on both the 1.0 petrol and the 1.4 HDi, showing up at 30,000 to 70,000 miles, and another for the electric power steering failing at 30,000 to 60,000 miles, so a later Mk1 still needs checking for both.

There's too little on record to judge the C1 sold from 2014 either way. One owner's 2016 car had its clutch give out at 8,000 miles, and they were quoted £1,400 to replace it. That's a single car rather than a known fault, but it's reason enough to test the clutch on a newer C1 as carefully as on an older one.

Which Citroen C1 engine is the safer choice?

Neither Mk1 engine gets a clean bill, because the 1.0 petrol and the 1.4 HDi share a serious known fault: the water pump leaks at 30,000 to 70,000 miles, or around three to six years old, and the lost coolant can overheat the engine and cause serious damage. That's why a car's coolant level, and any receipt for a new pump, matters more than which of the two engines it has.

On cars built before the 2009 facelift, the 1.4 HDi is the lesser risk, since the clutch fault only names the 1.0 petrol. That engine's original clutch lets in water, corrodes and wears out at 20,000 to 50,000 miles, slipping, getting noisy in stop and go traffic and smelling of burning. A service bulletin replaced it with a larger clutch, which every Mk1 from the facelift was built with, so a pre-2009 1.0 wants paperwork showing the swap.

What should you check on a used Citroen C1 before you buy?

Coolant comes first on any Mk1: look underneath for leaks, see that the level's up to the mark and keep an eye on the temperature gauge during the drive, since leaking water pumps on both engines are a known fault. A low coolant warning light tells the same story. Ask for the receipt if the pump has already been replaced, because they've failed at around three to six years old.

On a 2005 to 2009 1.0 petrol, test the clutch properly: slipping when you accelerate, noise while creeping in traffic or a burning smell points to the clutch fault. For the power steering, turn the wheel both ways at low speed and watch for heaviness or a warning light, but don't hold it on full lock, which has been blamed for burning out the motor.

Get proof the sticking accelerator pedal recall was carried out on any 2005 to 2009 car, and on the drive make sure the pedal returns promptly and the revs drop as soon as you lift off. Feel the carpets in the load area for damp, and on a five door, check that the rear windows are still firmly fixed to their hinges.

Look behind the rear wheels for any sign of a leaking brake cylinder, since they've failed on one car after 4 years and just 4,000 miles and on another at 2 months old. Check the exhaust back box for rust too, since they can rust through in as little as two years.

Paste the advert into the free check and it runs these against the listing, the MOT history and the DVLA record before you travel.

Is a used Citroen C1 Mk1 (2005 to 2014) a good buy?

It's worth buying from the 2009 facelift on, provided the water pump and power steering check out. Water pumps on the 1.0 petrol and 1.4 HDi fail at around three to six years old, at 30,000 to 70,000 miles, and the electric power steering motor has failed at three to four years old, or 30,000 to 60,000 miles, leaving the steering heavy at low speed. One owner's 2005 car lost its power steering altogether.

Before the facelift, the 1.0 petrol's clutch lets in water and wears out early, at 20,000 to 50,000 miles and sometimes in two and a half years, until a service bulletin fitted a larger one. Those 2005 to 2009 cars also come under the recall for an accelerator pedal that can stick and hold the revs up, so don't take one without evidence the work's been done.

Water finding its way inside is the Mk1's other weakness. It gets in through the extractor vent, through hatch, rear door and rear light seals that weren't fitted properly, and past the radio aerial and passenger door seals. On five doors the adhesive fixing the rear windows to their hinges gives way and the glass drops out, and catalytic converters can fail after two or three years.

Key-operated locks on the driver's door and boot can wear out after little more than three years of heavy use. Don't open the glass tailgate in a strong wind, since a gust can grab it, bend it and break the glass, and budget time on the viewing to look over the rear brake cylinders, which have given out on cars that were barely used.

What does a used Citroen C1 cost to run?

What do Citroen C1 owners like about them?

The Mk1 handles well, so it doesn't feel like a basic runabout once the road starts to bend, and it's frugal too. Low running costs are the other thing going for it, which makes it an easy car to keep on the road as a daily driver.

The C1 sold from 2014 feels solidly put together, and its engine's an eager one. There's enough power for everyday driving, so it doesn't feel out of its depth when you need to get a move on, and it still sips fuel while it's doing it.

• The car achieved a four-star NCAP rating, demonstrating good pedestrian protection in safety tests.
• This 2012 model offers low running costs, group 1 insurance, and good handling, achieving around 60mpg with low CO2 emissions.
• The C1 offers good front passenger protection during significant frontal collisions, enhancing overall safety for occupants.
• Its low purchase price and economical running costs make this car a genuine bargain.
• The engine is eager, providing sufficient power while also being very frugal on fuel.