Background photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0
Used Citroën C3 or Renault Clio: which one to choose?
| Criterion |  Photo: Cutlass, CC0 Citroën C3 III |  Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de Renault Clio V |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Extra caution | Good choice |
| Reliability | 2.5/5 | 4.0/5best |
| Observed prices | €5,200 – €11,300 | €10,994 – €14,990 |
| Monthly cost (12,000 km/year) | €415 | €355best |
| Known faults | 4, 2 serious | 3, none seriousbest |
| Euro NCAP | 4/5 | 5/5best |
| Category | City car | City car |
| Fuel types | Petrol, Diesel | Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid |
| Lowest consumption | 6.1 L/100 km | 4.2 L/100 km |
| Boot | 300 L | 391 Lbest |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
Our conclusion
The Clio V is clearly more reliable: no serious fault is documented (rating 4/5), against 1/5 for the C3 III, whose 1.2 PureTech (timing belt, oil consumption, recall for fire risk on the 82 hp versions built from 2022 to 2024) and 1.5 BlueHDi (timing chain) have documented serious faults. It is also better protected (5 stars at Euro NCAP in 2019, against 4 for the C3 in 2017) and more spacious (391 L against 300 L for the petrol versions). Our advice: the Clio V. If you choose a C3, insist on a complete, invoiced service history and proof that the recalls have been carried out.
By Rédaction Quelle Occasion · updated on 9 October 2026