Photo: BarnCas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Jakub "flyz1" Maciejewski, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: BarnCas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: BarnCas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Small four-seat city car with a 196 L boot, offered with the three-cylinder 1.0 VTi originally from Toyota, then in a 72 hp version from 2018, and with an 82 hp 1.2 PureTech discontinued in 2018. L'argus rates it as recommendable with the 1.0 VTi, but flags the clutch on the manual and ETG5 automated-manual gearboxes up to 2017, and the timing belt and oil consumption of the 1.2. It earned 4 Euro NCAP stars in 2014.
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Indicative prices
- €4,900 – €9,000
- Monthly cost
- €296
- Euro NCAP
- 4/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 1.0 VTi 72.
1.0 VTi 68
Petrol · Manual · 68 hp · Crit'Air 1
Three-cylinder 1.0 VTi with timing chain, 5-speed manual gearbox, sold from 2014 until the 2018 facelift. L'argus flags the clutch up to 2017.
1.0 VTi 68 ETG
Petrol · Automatic · 68 hp · 4.2 L/100 km · 97 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1
Same engine with the ETG5 automated-manual gearbox: AutoScout24 gives 4.2 l/100 km and 97 g/km. Gearbox judged less convincing (jerking, slowness) by L'argus.
1.0 VTi 72
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 72 hp · 4.2 L/100 km · Crit'Air 1
1.0 VTi raised to 72 hp at the 2018 facelift, 5-speed manual gearbox, produced until 2021 (3-door) or 2022 (5-door). The safest choice: L'argus only reports clutch faults up to 2017.
1.0 VTi 72 ETG
Petrol · Automatic · 72 hp · Crit'Air 1
1.0 VTi 72 hp with the ETG5 automated-manual gearbox.
1.2 PureTech 82
Petrol · Manual · 82 hp · 4.3 L/100 km · 99 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1
82 hp naturally aspirated 1.2 PureTech, manual gearbox, 0 to 100 km/h in 11 s, 4.3 l/100 km and 99 g/km according to the 2014 official catalogue. Discontinued at the 2018 facelift. Avoid without a complete service history.
Market prices
€4,900 – €9,000
Indicative range: 2014 to 2022, yearly medians of 249 online listings collected by iAutos (years with at least 3 listings).
Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
Fragile clutch on early 1.0 VTi
Severity 2/3 · CostlyL'argus reports the clutch on 1.0 VTi cars with the BVM5 manual and ETG5 automated-manual gearboxes up to 2017: it must neither slip nor judder, and its operation must stay smooth. Carverif also reports clutch faults on cars built up to 14 March 2017.
- Versions
- 1.0 VTi 68, 1.0 VTi 68 ETG
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
ETG5 automated-manual gearbox: jerking and slipping
Severity 2/3 · CostlyL'argus judges the ETG5 gearbox less convincing because of its jerking and slowness, and advises against a car whose gearbox jerks markedly, hesitates or slips. Carverif mentions malfunctions and slipping on ETGs built up to 14 March 2017.
- Versions
- 1.0 VTi 68 ETG, 1.0 VTi 72 ETG
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Timing belt and oil consumption of the 1.2 PureTech
Severity 2/3 · CostlyL'argus lists the 1.2 VTi/PureTech among the versions to watch (oil consumption, timing belt, ignition coil). Carverif advises caution with this wet-belt engine, whose excessive oil consumption is documented on naturally aspirated engines built up to 13 November 2016, and advises against buying the 82 hp version without a complete history.
- Versions
- 1.2 PureTech 82
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Citroën C1”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €103 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €96 |
| Maintenance | €27 |
| Depreciation | €70 |
| Total per month | €296 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- NEDC consumption (older, more optimistic than WLTP) as no WLTP figure is published: fuel is probably slightly underestimated.
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (petrol)€103
1.0 VTi 72 version: combined consumption of 4.2 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
4.2 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €103
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€96
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€27
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€70
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Citroën C1 II — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Clutch test: hill start and first gear at low revs; refuse the car if it slips, judders or the operation is irregular.
- On an ETG5: extended test in town; refuse a gearbox that jerks markedly, hesitates or slips.
- For a car built before 14 March 2017: ask whether the clutch has already been replaced, with invoices.
- Check the oil level when cold on the 1.0 VTi and 1.2 PureTech: L'argus and Carverif report oil consumption on some cars.
- On the 1.2 PureTech 82: demand the complete history and proof of timing belt checks.
- Have any open recall campaigns checked with the VIN at Citroën.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the clutch (or the ETG5 gearbox) already been replaced or repaired? At what mileage?
- Do you have all the service invoices, including oil changes and, for the 1.2, the timing belt check?
- Does the car use oil between oil changes?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Toyota Aygo
II · 2014–2021
- Price
- €7,000 – €10,900
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol
Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Renault Twingo
III (2014-2024, facelifted in 2019) · 2014–2024
- Price
- €5,890 – €12,299
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Electric
Photo: Harvey Bold, CC BY 4.0
Fiat 500
II · 2007–2024
- Price
- €5,000 – €16,000
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Hybrid
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Citroën C1 II (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
What Euro NCAP rating does the Citroën C1 II have?
4 stars in 2014. Euro NCAP applied to the C1 the rating of the Toyota Aygo, which PSA says is structurally identical; adults and children both scored 80%. Since the criteria have been tightened, it would score lower today.
Which engine should I choose on a used C1 II?
L'argus recommends the three-cylinder 1.0 VTi, provided oil consumption is checked. The safest option is a 72 hp model from 2018 onward with a manual gearbox, as the reported clutch faults go up to 2017. The 1.2 PureTech 82 hp requires a complete service history.
What is the C1 II boot capacity?
196 litres, up to 780 litres with the rear bench folded, for four seats.
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