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 1.1 / 1.4 / 1.6 8v & 16v (PSA TU / ET3 / EC5) engine
The 1.1 / 1.4 8v & 16v (PSA TU / ET3 / EC5) engine was fitted to the Citroën C3 2 (2009–2016). In the EU that is 20.2 % of all new cars of this generation.
Versions: 1.1 60 hp, 1.4 73 hp, 1.4.
The most expensive known risk is head gasket failure after overheating (mainly 1.4 8v / 16v): it usually appears at 60,000–220,000 km and costs €400–900 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: Misfire and jerking, worse in damp weather or under load, flashing engine light, rough idle
Fix: Replace the coil pack (and the spark plugs if due); do not keep driving with a misfire, it damages the catalytic converter
Signs: Coolant loss, temperature gauge high or erratic, fan does not start in traffic, overheating
Fix: Find the leak, replace the thermostat / housing or the fan resistor / relay, bleed the system properly; stop at once if it overheats to save the head gasket
Signs: Coolant loss with no visible leak, white smoke, bubbles or pressure in the expansion tank, overheating, mayonnaise under the oil cap
Fix: Replace the head gasket, have the head checked for flatness and skimmed, and fix the cause (thermostat, fan, water pump, air in the system)
Signs: Hunting or high idle, stalling when coming to a stop, especially when warm
Fix: Clean the throttle body and idle control valve, check for intake air leaks; replace the idle valve or throttle body if cleaning does not help
Signs: Engine / emissions warning light, P0420 code, failed emissions test
Fix: Fix any misfire first, check the lambda sensors, then replace the catalytic converter if it is worn
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: €2,650–5,850. 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 1.1 / 1.4 8v & 16v (PSA TU / ET3 / EC5) engine. The app gives the exact plan for your mileage.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 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 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Timing belt kit + water pumpEngine | every 120,000 km or every 60 months | €450–900 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 Petrol1,124 cm³ · 44 kW (60 hp) | 6.4 % | 2011–2015 | — | — |
| 1.4 Petrol1,360 cm³ · 54 kW (73 hp) | 5.6 % | 2011–2014 | — | — |
| 1.4 Petrol1,360 cm³ | 3.9 % | 2010–2013 | — | — |
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: head gasket failure after overheating (mainly 1.4 8v / 16v) (60,000–220,000 km, €400–900); cooling faults: thermostat, housing, water pump, fan resistor (60,000–200,000 km, €50–300); worn tie-rod ends / steering joints at inspection (60,000–200,000 km, €80–250); ignition coil pack failure (misfire) (80,000–180,000 km, €60–200).
Belt · 120,000 km / every 60 mo.
5W-40 / 10W-40 · PSA B71 2296 / B71 2300 · ~3.25 L · every 15,000 km.
1.4 HDi / TDCi (DV4)1.0 / 1.2 PureTech (EB)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)
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