Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: AIMHO'S REBELLION 8490s, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Urban SUV with a 410 L boot, rated 5 Euro NCAP stars in 2017. Its Stellantis engines have serious, recognised faults: timing belt and oil consumption on the 1.2 PureTech, and timing chain (subject to a recall) on the 1.5 BlueHDi. Demand complete, invoiced servicing and proof that recalls have been carried out.
- Reliability
- 2.5/5
- Indicative prices
- €8,980 – €14,895
- Monthly cost
- €369
- Euro NCAP
- 5/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: PureTech 110.
PureTech 82
Petrol · Manual · 82 hp · Crit'Air 1
82 hp, 118 Nm three-cylinder 1.2 PureTech, 5-speed manual gearbox. Affected by the PureTech belt and oil consumption faults.
Engine: Stellantis 1.2 PureTech (EB2)
Verdict on this engine: Buy with care
PureTech 110
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 110 hp · 6.2 L/100 km · 135 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1
110 hp, 205 Nm turbo 1.2 PureTech, manual gearbox (5 speeds at launch, 6 after the 2021 facelift). Prefer a car built after June 2022 (new-generation belt) and properly serviced.
Engine: Stellantis 1.2 PureTech (EB2)
Verdict on this engine: Buy with care
PureTech 110 EAT6
Petrol · Automatic · 110 hp · Crit'Air 1
Same 205 Nm engine with the 6-speed EAT6 automatic gearbox.
Engine: Stellantis 1.2 PureTech (EB2)
Verdict on this engine: Buy with care
PureTech 130
Petrol · Manual · 130 hp · Crit'Air 1
130 hp, 230 Nm 1.2 PureTech, 6-speed manual gearbox (before the 2021 facelift).
Engine: Stellantis 1.2 PureTech (EB2)
Verdict on this engine: Buy with care
PureTech 130 EAT6
Petrol · Automatic · 130 hp · Crit'Air 1
130 hp 1.2 PureTech with the EAT6 automatic gearbox, the only gearbox offered with this engine after the 2021 facelift.
Engine: Stellantis 1.2 PureTech (EB2)
Verdict on this engine: Buy with care
1.6 BlueHDi 100
Diesel · Manual · 100 hp · Crit'Air 2
1.6 BlueHDi diesel of the early model years (2017-2018), manual gearbox. Replaced by the 1.5 BlueHDi with the 2019 range.
Engine: PSA 1.6 HDi / BlueHDi (DV6)
Verdict on this engine: Buy with care
1.6 BlueHDi 120
Diesel · Manual · 120 hp · Crit'Air 2
1.6 BlueHDi diesel (1,560 cm³), 120 hp and 300 Nm, 6-speed manual gearbox, sold 2017-2018.
Engine: PSA 1.6 HDi / BlueHDi (DV6)
Verdict on this engine: Buy with care
BlueHDi 100
Diesel · Manual · 100 hp · Crit'Air 2
1.5 BlueHDi diesel introduced with the 2019 range, 6-speed manual gearbox. Affected by the timing chain recall: check that it has been carried out.
Engine: Stellantis 1.5 BlueHDi (DV5)
Verdict on this engine: Good choice, check first
BlueHDi 110
Diesel · Manual · 110 hp · Crit'Air 2
110 hp, 250 Nm 1.5 BlueHDi diesel, 6-speed manual gearbox, offered after the 2021 facelift. Affected by the timing chain recall.
Engine: Stellantis 1.5 BlueHDi (DV5)
Verdict on this engine: Good choice, check first
BlueHDi 120 EAT6
Diesel · Automatic · 120 hp · Crit'Air 2
120 hp 1.5 BlueHDi diesel with the EAT6 automatic gearbox. Affected by the timing chain recall.
Engine: Stellantis 1.5 BlueHDi (DV5)
Verdict on this engine: Good choice, check first
Market prices
€8,980 – €14,895
Indicative range: 2017 to 2024, yearly medians of 368 online listings collected by AutoUncle (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
Degraded 'wet' timing belt (1.2 PureTech)
Severity 3/3 · SeriousOn the 1.2 PureTech, the timing belt runs in oil and can break down. Its debris clogs the oil strainer, which causes oil pressure to drop and can destroy the engine. Stellantis extended the belt warranty to 10 years or 175,000 km, subject to servicing conditions, and introduced a new-generation belt in June 2022.
- Versions
- PureTech 82, PureTech 110, PureTech 110 EAT6, PureTech 130, PureTech 130 EAT6
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Sources
- Extension de garantie sur les moteurs PureTech — Test-Achats (new tab)
- Le moteur PureTech profite d'une extension de garantie — Caradisiac (new tab)
- 1.2 PureTech : Stellantis prêt à dialoguer avec les plaignants ? — J2R Auto (new tab)
- Propriétaires de moteurs PureTech : ce voyant cache une panne — L'Automobiliste (new tab)
- Citroën C3 Aircross I (2017-2024) : fiabilité occasion — Carverif (new tab)
- Citroën C3 Aircross : modèle d'occasion — Autocopilot (new tab)
- Avis Citroën C3 Aircross 1.2 PureTech 110 ch (2019, 76 000 km) — Fiches-auto (new tab)
- Avis Citroën C3 Aircross 1.2 PureTech 130 ch EAT6 (2017, 69 000 km) — Fiches-auto (new tab)
Premature wear of the timing chain (1.5 BlueHDi)
Severity 3/3 · SeriousOn the 1.5 BlueHDi (DV5), the 7 mm camshaft chain can lose strength because of oil carbonisation and high contact pressure, then break, causing the engine to stop abruptly; the wear may show up as an unusual engine noise. C3 Aircross cars with the 1.5 BlueHDi built between 10 October 2017 and 30 January 2023 are subject to a recall (Citroën code NY5): the chain is replaced by a reinforced 8 mm chain. Citroën has also extended its special chain coverage, subject to servicing in line with the manufacturer's plan.
- Versions
- BlueHDi 100, BlueHDi 110, BlueHDi 120 EAT6
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Sources
- Citroën C3 Aircross (2017 – 2023) BlueHDi failure — Car-recalls.eu (new tab)
- Rappel du 1.5 BlueHDi lié à la chaîne de distribution — Fiches-auto (new tab)
- Citroën 1.5 diesel engine : key information — Citroën UK (new tab)
- Après le PureTech, c'est au tour du BlueHDi de rencontrer des problèmes de fiabilité — Caroom (new tab)
- Citroën C3 Aircross I (2017-2024) : fiabilité occasion — Carverif (new tab)
Oil consumption (1.2 PureTech)
Severity 2/3 · CostlyBeyond belt wear, the 1.2 PureTech is known for high oil consumption, which can lead to engine damage if the level is not monitored. According to Caradisiac, engines built from 2023 onward are no longer affected.
- Versions
- PureTech 82, PureTech 110, PureTech 110 EAT6, PureTech 130, PureTech 130 EAT6
- 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 C3 Aircross”). 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 | €153 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €65 |
| Maintenance | €33 |
| Depreciation | €118 |
| Total per month | €369 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- Consumption taken from a published range (depends on trim and tyres).
- Insurance: average for a closely related model (other generation or same platform).
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Maintenance: budget of a closely related model.
- 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)€153
PureTech 110 version: combined consumption of 6.2 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
6.2 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €153
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€65
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€33
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€118
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Citroën C3 Aircross I — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Demand service invoices: oil changes at the correct interval with the recommended oil, and the date and mileage of the last timing belt replacement (PureTech).
- Check the oil level when cold and ask whether oil needs topping up between changes.
- Ask a Citroën dealer, with the serial number, which recalls have been carried out (1.5 BlueHDi chain, code NY5) and whether the car is eligible for the warranty extensions.
- 1.5 BlueHDi diesel: listen to the engine on a cold start; an unusual noise may indicate a worn chain.
- Check the build date and exact engine: new-generation belt after June 2022 on the PureTech; 1.6 or 1.5 on the diesel.
Questions to ask the seller
- Do you have all the service invoices, with the oil references used?
- Has the timing belt (or the chain on the 1.5 diesel) been checked or replaced, and at what mileage?
- Does the car use oil between oil changes, and have the manufacturer's recalls been carried out?
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: MoCars, CC0
Peugeot 2008
II · since 2019
- Price
- €9,500 – €22,000
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Renault Captur
II · since 2019
- Price
- €11,495 – €17,990
- Reliability
- 5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Hybrid
Photo: (G)jabz, CC BY 4.0
Dacia Duster
II · 2018–2024
- Price
- €11,700 – €20,500
- Reliability
- not rated
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0
Toyota Yaris Cross
I · since 2021
- Price
- €21,440 – €28,490
- Reliability
- not rated
- Fuel types
- 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 C3 Aircross I (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 C3 Aircross I have?
5 stars in 2017, with 85% for adult protection, 82% for children, 64% for vulnerable road users and 60% for safety assist; automatic emergency braking was optional. This rating expired in January 2024.
Should I avoid the C3 Aircross 1.2 PureTech?
Not necessarily, but choose a car with impeccable servicing: its timing belt runs in oil and can break down, and the engine may consume oil. The belt warranty has been extended to 10 years or 175,000 km, subject to servicing conditions. Ask for the invoice for the belt replacement.
What is the C3 Aircross boot capacity?
410 litres, and up to 1,280 litres with the seats folded according to Caroom, for five seats.
Found a listing?
Soon, we will analyse your Citroën C3 Aircross listing: price, mileage, watch points.
Get notified at launch