Diesel · 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 1.4 HDi / TDCi (DV4) engine
The 1.4 HDi / TDCi (DV4) engine was fitted to the Citroën C3 2 (2009–2016). In the EU that is 34.2 % of all new cars of this generation.
Versions: 1.4 68 hp, 1.4.
The most expensive known risk is injector or high-pressure pump faults: hard starting, smoke: it usually appears at 100,000–250,000 km and costs €300–1,300 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: Hard or no starting (often when warm), uneven running, smoke, injector or fuel-pressure fault codes
Fix: Read the injector corrections and do a return-flow test; replace the faulty injectors or the pump control valve / pump; change the fuel filter on time and avoid running the tank empty
Signs: Diesel or exhaust smell in the cabin, puffing or ticking near the injectors, soot deposits around them
Fix: Fit new injector washers and clamp bolts and clean the seats; repair early so the injectors do not seize in the head
Signs: Whistling, loss of power, blue or grey smoke, oil in the intake pipes
Fix: Replace or recondition the turbo, and check the oil feed and return pipes and the oil level; keep oil changes on time
Signs: Rattle or knock at idle from the belt side, wobbling pulley, auxiliary belt slips or jumps off
Fix: Replace the crankshaft pulley with a quality part and fit a new auxiliary belt; a loose belt can damage the timing belt
Signs: Power loss or limp mode, jerking, black smoke, EGR fault codes; mostly with city driving
Fix: Clean or replace the EGR valve; on older engines also check the vacuum solenoid and hoses
Signs: DPF warning, loss of power or limp mode, usually after mostly short trips
Fix: Forced regeneration with a diagnostic tool and a longer drive; check the pressure sensor and software; clean or replace the DPF if it is full
Signs: Oil level drops between services, oily intake, sometimes blue smoke
Fix: Check the turbo first, then replace the valve cover with the built-in breather membrane; a compression test shows if the rings are 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: €2,400–5,750. 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 1.4 HDi / TDCi (DV4) engine. The app gives the exact plan for your mileage.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| DPF health check (soot / ash load)Emissions | every 20,000 km | €0–60 |
| 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 |
| Fuel filterFuel | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €40–110 |
| Glow plugsEngine | every 100,000 km | €120–300 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Timing belt kit + water pumpEngine | every 140,000 km or every 120 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 Diesel1,398 cm³ · 50 kW (68 hp) | 22.9 % | 2011–2015 | — | — |
| 1.4 Diesel1,398 cm³ | 10.7 % | 2010–2015 | — | — |
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: turbocharger wear or failure (100,000–250,000 km, €500–1,200); injector or high-pressure pump faults: hard starting, smoke (100,000–250,000 km, €300–1,300); EGR valve sooting or sticking (80,000–200,000 km, €100–450); crankshaft pulley (damper) rubber breaks up (70,000–160,000 km, €100–300).
Belt · 140,000 km / every 120 mo.
5W-30 / 5W-40 · PSA B71 2290 / B71 2296 · ~3.75 L · every 15,000 km.
1.0 / 1.2 PureTech (EB)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)
Ford Fiesta VI (Mk6/Mk7) 2008–2017Peugeot 208 I 2012–2019Peugeot 207 2006–2014Peugeot 206 1998–2012Ford Fusion 2002–2012
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