Hatchback · 2017–2024
CitroenC3
Funky city hatch with Airbump options and PureTech petrols that need wet-belt discipline. Cheap to buy; budget correctly for belt/oil history or you will not feel clever.
Best for: Urban drivers wanting character on a supermini budget.
Indicative running costs ~£1,942–£2,736 / year
- Power
- 83–110 hp
- Economy
- 45–55 mpg
- Fuel
- Petrol
- Boot
- 285–395 litres
- 0–60
- 8.5–12.5 sec 0–60 mph
- Ins. group
- Grp12–28, depending on trim and power
Owner essentials
The lookups people actually search for — pressures, oil and spare status. Confirm against the V5C engine code and door sticker.
Tyre size
Commonly 195/55 R16 – 225/40 R18
Tyre pressure (cold)
Often ~30–36 PSI cold for small hatches; check the sticker
Engine oil
PSA/Stellantis-approved 0W-20 or 5W-30 (wet-belt PureTech: do not guess)
Oil capacity
Typically ~3.5–4.5 litres
Spare / puncture kit
Spare, space-saver or sealant kit — check the boot well
ULEZ
Most petrols from ~2006 (Euro 4+) are ULEZ compliant — verify the plate
Need a PSI ↔ bar converter? Tyre pressure tool →
UK running costs
Ballpark annual ownership for a private Citroen C3 at ~8,000 miles/year.
~£1,942–£2,736 / year
| Cost | Indicative yearly figure |
|---|---|
| Fuel | ~£959/yr @ 55 mpg, £1.45/L, 8,000 miles |
| Road tax | ~£195/yr typical post-2017 standard rate |
| Insurance | £550–£1,100 (indicative) |
| Servicing | ~£160–£320 for a typical annual service |
| Tyres (avg) | ~£100–£260 averaged over a set |
- · Assumes ~8,000 private miles/year — scale up/down with your mileage.
- · Insurance is the wild card: age, postcode, NCB and claims history matter more than the car alone.
- · Figures are illustrative UK ballparks for planning — not quotes. Use our running-costs tool for a custom budget.
Variants & trims
GTI / ST / R-Line / AMG Line are not the same thing — match the boot badge and V5C engine code.
| Variant | Engine | Power | Economy | Road tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Feel / Shine 1.2 PureTech Volume UK cars. Belt history first. 1.2 PureTech · 45–55 mpg | 1.2 PureTech | 83–110 hp | 45–55 mpg | ~£195* |
Flair Higher kit. 1.2 PureTech · 45–52 mpg | 1.2 PureTech | 110 hp | 45–52 mpg | ~£195* |
PureTech 110 EAT6 Auto — fluid history. 1.2 auto · 42–50 mpg | 1.2 auto | 110 hp | 42–50 mpg | ~£195* |
C3 You! / later facelift Simplified trims. 1.2 · 45–55 mpg | 1.2 | 83–100 hp | 45–55 mpg | ~£195* |
*Indicative annual UK VED. Confirm on GOV.UK.
Full specifications
Buying a used C3
- 1PureTech wet-belt invoices or walk away
- 2Check Airbump panels for cracks
- 3Manual gearbox notchiness on test
- 4Touchscreen lag is common — live with it or negotiate
- · Confirm the exact engine code, trim and gearbox on the V5C before ordering parts
- · Check the latest MOT history and advisories on GOV.UK
- · Compare cold-start behaviour, warning lights and service invoices before buying
Common faults to check
Inspection prompts — not a diagnosis.
- Wet timing belt / oil dilution on 1.2 PureTech
- Emulsion in oil filler on short trips
- Electrical gremlins and sensor faults
- Rear bumper scuffs
Citroen C3 FAQs
Is a used Citroen C3 expensive to run in the UK?
As a rough guide, many owners should budget ~£1,942–£2,736 / year including fuel, tax, insurance, servicing and tyres at ~8,000 miles/year. Hotter trims and young drivers cost more.
What tyre pressure does a Citroen C3 need?
Often ~30–36 PSI cold for small hatches; check the sticker. Pressures change with load and wheel size — the legal reference is the sticker in the door shut or fuel flap, not the sidewall maximum.
What oil does a Citroen C3 take?
PSA/Stellantis-approved 0W-20 or 5W-30 (wet-belt PureTech: do not guess). Capacity is Typically ~3.5–4.5 litres. Wrong oil on wet-belt / LongLife engines can be an expensive mistake — confirm by engine code in the handbook.
What are common Citroen C3 problems?
Buyers most often watch for: Wet timing belt / oil dilution on 1.2 PureTech; Emulsion in oil filler on short trips. Always cross-check MOT history and a pre-purchase inspection.
Is the Citroen C3 ULEZ compliant?
Most petrols from ~2006 (Euro 4+) are ULEZ compliant — verify the plate
Owner handbook
Official Citroen manuals for exact oil grades, torque figures and fuse maps. We link out; PDFs stay with the manufacturer.
Citroën owner manuals ↗Reviewed October 2026. Photos: Wikimedia Commons. Cost figures are illustrative UK planning ranges, not insurer or DVLA quotes. Manufacturer handbook and UK model-year specifications GOV.UK MOT guidance and vehicle test standards Owner and workshop inspection patterns; verify against the specific VIN