The Citroën C3 Generation III (Code SX) marked a radical departure from its predecessor, adopting a crossover-inspired look with signature 'Airbumps' and a strong focus on ride comfort. Sharing its PF1 platform with the Peugeot 208 I, it became a massive sales success in Europe. A mid-cycle facelift was introduced in 2020, bringing updated LED headlights, new 'Advanced Comfort' seats, and enhanced customization options. While the C3 III excels in daily comfort and distinctive styling, its long-term reputation has been heavily overshadowed by systemic reliability issues across Stellantis' engine lineup. The petrol PureTech engines suffer from the infamous 'wet timing belt' degradation, making the diesel variants (BlueHDi) highly sought after by high-mileage drivers. However, these diesels r
The Citroën C3 III is a charming, ultra-comfortable supermini that makes a lot of sense on paper, especially for high-mileage drivers looking at the diesel variants. However, buying one requires extreme caution. If you are buying a diesel: The older 1.6 BlueHDi is mechanically tougher but plagued by AdBlue tank failures. The newer 1.5 BlueHDi is smoother but suffers from a fatal camshaft chain flaw (7mm) alongside the same AdBlue issues. Buying Advice: Only purchase a 1.5 BlueHDi if the seller provides an invoice proving the engine has been upgraded to the 8mm camshaft chain and housing. For the 1.6 BlueHDi, ensure the AdBlue tank has already been replaced under warranty. Avoid the 1.2 PureTech petrol engines entirely unless you have a massive risk appetite and a flawless, Stellantis-stamped service history. If reliability is your top priority, a Renault Clio V 1.5 dCi is a much safer diesel alternative.