Petrol · 2009–2016
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
All about the Citroën C3 2All about the 1.0 / 1.2 PureTech (EB) engine
The 1.0 / 1.2 PureTech (EB) engine was fitted to the Citroën C3 2 (2009–2016). In the EU that is 23.0 % of all new cars of this generation.
Versions: 1.2 82 hp, 1.0 68 hp.
The most expensive known risk is worn tie-rod ends / steering joints at inspection: it usually appears at 60,000–200,000 km and costs €80–250 to fix.
✓ The faults of this engine were checked against sources (10/2026). Each item has at least two independent sources or an official recall or parts-maker technical note.
Signs: Flaking or swollen belt seen through the oil filler, rubber bits in the oil or filter, later oil pressure or timing warnings
Fix: Measure belt width with the PSA gauge at every service and replace the belt early if it is out of spec; ask a Stellantis dealer about the extended cover (10 years / 175,000 km)
Signs: Oil pressure warning, noisy valvetrain, cam timing fault codes, limp mode
Fix: Stop the engine at once; drop the sump, clean the strainer or replace the oil pump, clean or replace the VVT and oil pump solenoids and the turbo oil-feed banjo bolt, and fit a new belt
Signs: Hard brake pedal, little brake assistance, brake or oil pressure warning
Fix: Check open recalls by VIN (2020 campaign for cars built 3/2013–4/2017, 2023 campaign for 4/2017–12/2020); always replace the vacuum pump when a degraded belt is replaced
Signs: Oil top-ups between services, blue smoke, misfires from carbon build-up
Fix: Have a measured oil consumption test done at a Stellantis dealer (covered by the extension); outside cover, fit new pistons and rings and rebore oval cylinders
Signs: No warning; the airbag inflator can rupture in a crash and throw metal fragments into the cabin.
Fix: Check the VIN on Citroën's recall site and have the airbag replaced free of charge before driving the car.
Signs: Clunks from the front and poor directional stability; a broken bolt affects steering control.
Fix: Check by VIN with a Citroën dealer that the bolt-replacement recall was done; free of charge.
Signs: Engine suddenly stops, electrical faults or no-start caused by a broken earth strap.
Fix: Check by VIN that the earth cable was replaced under the recall; otherwise inspect and replace it.
Signs: Usually no warning; steering control while braking hard may be reduced.
Fix: Check by VIN with a Citroën dealer that the hydraulic block recall was done; free of charge.
Signs: Handbrake lever pulls up very high and the car may roll on a slope.
Fix: Check by VIN that the recall was done; adjust the cable and, if the rear drum lever is seized, replace the shoes.
Signs: Play or knocking in the steering, vague straight-line feel, uneven tyre wear; often found at inspection.
Fix: Replace the worn tie-rod ends and have the wheel alignment set.
Signs: Squeak or creak from the front when parking or crossing speed bumps.
Fix: Remove the front strut and lubricate or replace the bump stop; replace worn top mounts or dampers at the same time.
Signs: Brake lights stay lit after releasing the pedal and cruise control will not engage; codes such as P0504 or P0571.
Fix: Replace the switch on the brake pedal bracket and clear the fault codes.
Signs: Badly aimed low beam, dead front or rear lamps or indicators found at the technical inspection.
Fix: Check and adjust headlamp aim before inspection; replace bulbs and check holders for corrosion.
Signs: Discs found worn or ridged at inspection; vibration or noise when braking.
Fix: Measure disc thickness at every service and replace discs with every second set of pads.
Signs: Louder or rattling exhaust, leaks or loose hangers found at inspection.
Fix: Replace the rusted pipe or silencer section and the rubber hangers.
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
Signs: Rattle at idle, vibration pulling away
Fix: Replace with clutch
Signs: Won't select a gear, 'gearbox fault', jerky shifts
Fix: Repair or replace the actuator; clutch re-learn
Signs: Slipping, harsh engagement
Fix: Replace clutch + re-learn
Signs: Bangs or harsh engagement once warm, 'gearbox faulty' warning and the gearbox stays in 3rd (codes such as P1167 / pressure regulation)
Fix: Check the oil level with the proper procedure first, then replace the pressure-regulating solenoid; if the fault returns, fit a reconditioned valve body and change the oil
Typical routine maintenance cost for 100,000 km: €3,200–6,950. Sum of the services and wear parts in the plan above (about 15,000 km a year, independent workshop), without faults.
Intervals and typical prices for the Citroën C3 2 with the 1.0 / 1.2 PureTech (EB) engine. The app gives the exact plan for your mileage.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 10,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Timing belt kit + water pump (belt runs in oil)Engine | every 100,000 km or every 72 months | €700–1,400 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
| Version | Share | Years | CO₂ | Fuel use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 Petrol1,199 cm³ · 60 kW (82 hp) | 15.6 % | 2012–2015 | — | — |
| 1.0 Petrol999 cm³ · 50 kW (68 hp) | 5.7 % | 2012–2015 | — | — |
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA), monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars, CC BY 4.0. CO₂ and fuel use are official type-approval values (WLTP from 2021), not real-world consumption.
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (39). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
The faults with the highest risk: worn tie-rod ends / steering joints at inspection (60,000–200,000 km, €80–250).
Wet belt · 100,000 km / every 72 mo.
0W-30 / 0W-20 · PSA B71 2312 / B71 2010 · ~3.25–3.5 L · every 10,000 km.
1.4 HDi / TDCi (DV4)1.1 / 1.4 8v & 16v (PSA TU / ET3 / EC5)1.5 / 1.6 HDi / TDCi / e-HDi (DV6, 8v / 16v)1.6 BlueHDi (DV6FC)1.4 / 1.6 VTi (EP3 / EP6, also MINI N12 / N16)
Peugeot 208 I 2012–2019Peugeot 107 / 108 2005–2021Citroën C1 2005–2022Citroën C4 II 2010–2018Opel Corsa F 2019–Peugeot 3008 II 2016–2023Citroën C3 III 2016–2024Peugeot 308 II 2013–2021Peugeot 2008 I 2013–2019Peugeot 2008 II 2019–Opel Grandland 2017–Opel Crossland 2017–
Main sources for the faults of this engine:
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles. How we check the data →
Updated 29/10/2026