Petrol · 2016–2024
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
All about the Citroën C3 3All about the 1.0 / 1.2 PureTech (EB) engine
The 1.2 PureTech (EB) engine was fitted to the Citroën C3 3 (2016–2024). In the EU that is 78.4 % of all new cars of this generation.
Versions: 1.2 83 hp, 1.2 110 hp, 1.2 82 hp, 1.2 68 hp, 1.2 101 hp.
✓ 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: Oil use between services, oil in the intake, unstable idle, oil seeping at seals
Fix: Check crankcase pressure and the separator membrane; replace the cam cover with the built-in separator (covered by the extension at a dealer)
Signs: Petrol smell in or around the engine bay, higher fuel use
Fix: Check recall status by VIN; the dealer retightens the pipe nuts and rail screws free of charge
Signs: Engine warning light, misfires, power loss, timing codes P0012 / P0015 / P0016 / P0017
Fix: Have the revised cam phaser and bolt fitted at a Stellantis dealer under warranty
Signs: Usually no warning; rarely overheating or smoke from the engine bay in wet weather (mild-hybrid versions only)
Fix: Check recall status by VIN; the dealer fits an improved cap and sets the gap to the nearby pipe (about 30 minutes, free)
Signs: Screen freezes or lags, radio, phone connection and some vehicle settings become unusable until the car is restarted.
Fix: Reset and update the software first; repair or replace the head unit only if the fault keeps coming back.
Signs: Dead low beam, tail lights, hazard lights or indicators, often found only at the technical inspection, already from the first one.
Fix: Check all lamps before inspection; replace bulbs or lamp units and inspect bulb holders and connectors.
Signs: Discs worn or ridged after only a few years, vibration or noise when braking, flagged at inspection.
Fix: Measure discs at every service and budget for discs with every second set of pads.
Signs: No obvious sign; without the ballast the car can be less stable, especially in sudden manoeuvres.
Fix: Check by VIN with a Citroën dealer that the recall was done (ballast fitted if missing); free.
Signs: Louder or blowing exhaust, rattles under the car, inspection failure for a leak.
Fix: Replace the rusted silencer or pipe section and check the hangers.
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
Signs: Jerks or clunks when slowing down or in town traffic, hesitation when pulling away, flare or slip when cold
Fix: Ask for the latest gearbox software and an adaptation reset; check the oil level and condition
Signs: Harsh or slipping shifts that get worse over time, dark burnt-smelling fluid, gearbox warning or limp mode
Fix: Change the fluid (several partial changes or a machine change with the correct Aisin / PSA fluid); if shifts stay bad, repair the valve body / solenoids or overhaul the gearbox
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 3 with the 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 · 61 kW (83 hp) | 43.9 % | 2018–2024 | 127 g/km | 5.5 L |
| 1.2 Petrol1,199 cm³ · 81 kW (110 hp) | 17.4 % | 2017–2024 | 130 g/km | 5.7 L |
| 1.2 Petrol1,199 cm³ · 60 kW (82 hp) | 12.2 % | 2017–2019 | 116 g/km | — |
| 1.2 Petrol1,199 cm³ · 50 kW (68 hp) | 1.9 % | 2017–2021 | 126 g/km | 6.0 L |
| 1.2 Petrol1,199 cm³ · 74 kW (101 hp) | 1.7 % | 2023–2024 | 127 g/km | 5.7 L |
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 (31). 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.
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.
Peugeot 208 I 2012–2019Peugeot 107 / 108 2005–2021Citroën C1 2005–2022Citroën C4 II 2010–2018Opel Corsa F 2019–Citroën C3 II 2009–2016Peugeot 3008 II 2016–2023Peugeot 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