Skip advert
Advertisement

Citroen C3 Origin - Reliability and safety

Proven engines and well-known chassis parts should bring solid reliability, while there's decent levels of safety kit, too

Reliability and Safety rating

3.8

How we review cars
RRP
£18,085 £21,585
Avg. savings
£1,637 off RRP*
Find your Citroen C3
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Entry-level versions of the Citroen C3 Origin still get a good amount of safety equipment as standard, including lane-departure warning, speed sign recognition, LED headlights, six airbags and two ISOFIX mounting points. Top-of-the-range Max models are fitted with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), driver attention alert, collision risk alert and Intelligent Beam headlights.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The C3 (as it was known before the name change to C3 Origin) achieved a four-star Euro NCAP safety rating in 2017. That rating has since expired due to the testing criteria having gotten much tougher, so you might want to turn to newer rivals if safety is your primary concern, such as the Volkswagen Polo, which received a five-star rating in 2022 under more stringent criteria.

The Mk3 Citroen C3 (essentially the same car as the C3 Origin) came a respectable 17th out of 50 cars in our 2024 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, ahead of the VW Polo and Vauxhall Corsa

The Citroen brand has been rising up through the ranks over the last few years. The manufacturer finished 13th out of 29 manufacturers in 2022's best brands poll, improving to 11th spot out of 32 in the 2023 results.

Warranty

There’s nothing particularly special about Citroen’s warranty; it lasts for three years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes soonest. This is just about standard for the industry, but some rivals – notably offerings from KiaHyundai and Toyota – offer much longer cover, at up to seven years in Kia’s case, and up to 10 years and 100,000 miles for Toyota.

You get one year of free Citroen roadside assistance as part of the package.

Servicing

The servicing intervals on the C3 are as conventional as its warranty; it requires maintenance every year or 12,500 miles, and Citroen offers a simple service plan for customers to help spread the cost.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    1.2 Turbo Plus 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • RRP
    £18,085
Select car

Most Economical

  • Name
    1.2 Turbo Plus 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • RRP
    £18,085
Select car

Fastest

  • Name
    1.2 Hybrid [110] Plus 5dr e-DCS6
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £19,885
Select car
News reporter

As our news reporter, Ellis is responsible for covering everything new and exciting in the motoring world, from quirky quadricycles to luxury MPVs. He was previously the content editor for DrivingElectric and won the Newspress Automotive Journalist Rising Star award in 2022.

New & used car deals

Citroen C3

Citroen C3

RRP £17,990Avg. savings £1,637 off RRP*Used from £4,999
Dacia Sandero Stepway

Dacia Sandero Stepway

RRP £14,045Avg. savings £839 off RRP*Used from £8,100
Dacia Sandero

Dacia Sandero

RRP £10,405Avg. savings £723 off RRP*Used from £8,163
BYD Dolphin

BYD Dolphin

RRP £26,205Avg. savings £2,135 off RRP*
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car finance firms losing "hundreds of millions” in EV depreciation want Govt support
Car and money

Car finance firms losing "hundreds of millions” in EV depreciation want Govt support

The BVRLA says the disparity in supply and demand for electric cars is resulting in weaker-than-expected residuals, which is costing firms millions
News
11 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Elegant Mazda 3 hatch for a preeminent £178 per month
Mazda 3 front corner right

Car Deal of the Day: Elegant Mazda 3 hatch for a preeminent £178 per month

Fluid handling and even more flowing styling are the selling points of the Mazda 3 in this affordable deal
News
12 Apr 2025
New Denza Z9GT 2025 review: super estate has BMW and Mercedes in its sights
 Denza Z9GT - front tracking

New Denza Z9GT 2025 review: super estate has BMW and Mercedes in its sights

The new Denza Z9GT hybrid estate is on the way to the UK. Should BMW, Mercedes and even Porsche be worried?
Road tests
11 Apr 2025