Citroen C-Zero
Registered from 2010 to 2017.
About this model
The Citroën C-ZERO is a supermini/city car produced by Citroën and is 100% electric powered. It was developed in collaboration with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC). Its sister was marketed by Peugeot as the Peugeot iOn. The changes between the cars are the different exterior and interior styling and the price. The C-Zero was sold until 2020, when it was replaced by the Ami.
From the Wikipedia article Citroën C-Zero, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
The manufacturer has told owners of one of these to stop driving until the repair is done.
- The structure of the driver and front passenger airbags can deteriorate. If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments from the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2012 electric. 16 of 99 tests failed, 16%.
Better than 75% of 2012 cars. The typical one fails 21%, across 925 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 31% | 5 |
| Steering | 31% | 5 |
| Tyres and wheels | 31% | 5 |
| Brakes | 19% | 3 |
| Visibility | 19% | 3 |
| Suspension | 13% | 2 |
The defects inspectors cite
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
Where it stands out against its peers
- Steering: failed more often than 96% of 2012 cars — 31% of its 16 failed tests, where an ordinary 2012 car has 5%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Steering — 31% of its failures
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
- Tyres and wheels — 31% of its failures
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A tyre has a lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. This includes any lifting of the tread rubber
- Brakes — 19% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Suspension — 13% of its failures
- A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- Lights and electrics — 31% of its failures
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Visibility — 19% of its failures
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
- Do not drive
SR/03043/25
The structure of the driver and front passenger airbags can deteriorate. If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments from the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Request to stop driving
A12/1579/15
A problem with a component of the engine control unit may limit engine power and prevent the vehicle from starting.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/1706/17
A problem with an internal component of the passenger airbag deployment module could prevent the passenger airbag from being deployed in the event of a crash.
Recall of the product from end users