Is the Citroen C3 ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 229,466 MOT tests, around 66% of Citroen C3s still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 23% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 11%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 66% petrol, 34% diesel. Every petrol C3 in the data (2002 onwards) is likely to be compliant. Diesel C3s are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
- Likely compliant
- 66%
- Likely charged
- 23%
- Depends on the car
- 11%
- MOT tests analysed
- 229,466
Check a specific C3
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
C3 ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many C3s of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Likely compliant705 tested | Likely compliant10 tested |
| 2020 | Likely compliant12,255 tested | Likely compliant495 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant22,476 tested | Likely compliant1,082 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant23,000 tested | Likely compliant2,200 tested |
| 2017 | Likely compliant15,947 tested | Likely compliant3,851 tested |
| 2016 | Likely compliant6,433 tested | Likely compliant4,553 tested |
| 2015 | Likely compliant6,682 tested | Check exact car5,961 tested |
| 2014 | Likely compliant7,485 tested | Check exact car6,845 tested |
| 2013 | Likely compliant6,192 tested | Likely charged7,885 tested |
| 2012 | Likely compliant7,041 tested | Likely charged8,630 tested |
| 2011 | Likely compliant6,034 tested | Likely charged10,348 tested |
| 2010 | Likely compliant7,600 tested | Likely charged12,263 tested |
| 2009 | Likely compliant4,604 tested | Likely charged6,150 tested |
| 2008 | Likely compliant4,123 tested | Likely charged1,697 tested |
| 2007 | Likely compliant4,863 tested | Likely charged1,653 tested |
| 2006 | Likely compliant4,790 tested | Likely charged1,128 tested |
| 2005 | Check Euro standard4,250 tested | Likely charged1,026 tested |
| 2004 | Check Euro standard3,518 tested | Likely charged859 tested |
| 2003 | Check Euro standard2,864 tested | Likely charged659 tested |
| 2002 | Check Euro standard989 tested | Likely charged295 tested |
How ULEZ rules apply to the C3
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Petrol (66% of C3s tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
- Diesel (34% of C3s tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
C3s from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (11% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or Citroen can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how C3s fare at the MOT too: see the Citroen C3 MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Citroen C3 for London: what the MOT data shows
The Citroen C3s in this data were first registered between 2002 and 2021. 2018 was the most common year, with 25,200 tests (11% of the total), and half were registered in 2014 or later.
C3s from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 73% of the time, at an average of 48,027 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 54% of the time with 79,044 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest petrol C3s likely to comply are from 2006. 4,790 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 53% of the time and averaged 80,106 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest diesel C3s likely to comply are from 2016. 4,553 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 73% of the time and averaged 42,354 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the C3's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were lights and electrics: "not working" (7.2% of tests); body and structure: "constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt" (3.5%); suspension: "ball joint excessively worn" (3.3%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 15.5% of tests.
Overall, 68% of C3s passed first time, slightly below the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 57,291 miles on average, fewer than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Citroen models
About this data
Based on 229,466 first MOT tests of the Citroen C3 carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 229,466 MOT tests say about the Citroen C3 and London's ULEZ.
Is the Citroen C3 ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 66% of C3s on the road are likely compliant and 23% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol C3 years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol C3s first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel C3 ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel C3s from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific C3 is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
- ULEZ · 6 min readULEZ explained: which cars are compliant and what it costsSince August 2023 the ULEZ covers every London borough. Which cars comply, what the daily charge costs if yours doesn't, and what you can do about it.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- Buying a used car · 6 min readHow to check if a car has been clocked using MOT mileage historyWinding back an odometer takes minutes with a laptop, but every MOT logs the reading publicly. A step-by-step method, with worked examples, for spotting the gaps.Read the guide
Is your C3 ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.