Which used Citroen C3 should you buy?

The Citroen C3 is one of the most comfortable small cars around, and it comes with a good selection of efficient engines, so it’s easy to drive and cheap to run.

It’s not very exciting from behind the wheel, but if you don’t mind that, then the pleasant cabin and comfortable seats could tempt you away from more mainstream options.

Bear in mind that it’s been around since 2017, and was updated in 2020. Later models are worth looking out for, as they have more up-to-date tech.

You can recognise them by their slightly different headlights (the grille trim runs into the headlight on the newer model, and is separate on the earlier cars).

Read our full Citroen C3 review

What used Citroen trim levels are available?

Given how long the Citroen C3 has been around, there’s been a whole host of trims made available during its lifespan.

Post-2020, the car came with Sense, Shine and Shine Plus trim levels. Earlier models used the Feel, Flair Plus and Origins names.

Read on below as we make sense of the line-up, and try to identify the best Citroen C3 for you.

Citroen C3 Feel

The Citroen C3 Feel cost from around £16,000 when new, and came with either an 83PS petrol engine or a 101PS diesel engine, both of which were only available with a manual gearbox. This was the entry-level trim. Highlights included:

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Android Auro
• Apple CarPlay
• Lane departure warning
• Climate control
• Seven-inch touchscreen media system

Citroen C3 Origins

The Citroen C3 Origins was one step on from the Citroen C1 Feel and only available with the 83PS petrol engine. This version came with the rubber side panels that you’ll see on many of the pictures of the car, which look cool and protect it from parking bumps. It also features some useful safety tech, as listed below.

• Emergency call system
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Rear parking sensors
• Sat-nav

Citroen C3 Flair Plus

The Citroen C3 Flair Plus model was available with the same engines as the Citroen C1 Feel model, plus a turbocharged 112PS petrol engine with either a manual or automatic gearbox. In our opinion, this is the best engine in the range, offering decent performance and fuel economy, so the Citroen C3 Flair Plus is our pick of the trim range. Additional equipment over the Citroen C3 Feel models included:

• Built-in dash cam
• Sat-nav
• Leather steering wheel
• Reversing camera
• Tinted windows

Citroen C3 Shine / Shine Plus

The Citroen C3 Shine model was available with 83PS petrol, a 101PS diesel and the 112PS turbocharged petrol in either manual or automatic form. It was accompanied by the more upmarket Citroen C3 Shine Plus, which added to the already generous equipment list.

• Contrasting roof colour (Shine)
• 16-inch alloy wheels (Shine)
• Automatic headlights and windscreen wipers (Shine)
• Rear parking sensors (Shine)
• 17-inch alloy wheels (Shine Plus)
• Tinted windows (Shine Plus)
• Sat-nav (Shine Plus)
• Front armrest (Shine Plus)
• Autonomous emergency braking (Shine Plus)
• Reversing camera (Shine Plus)

Citroen C3 C-Series

When launched, the Citroen C3 C-Series was considered more upmarket than the Citroen C3 Sense and Citroen C3 Shine, despite its lower price. This model is only available with the lesser-powered 83PS 1.2-litre PureTech petrol engine. The equipment list includes:

• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto
• Cruise control
• Rear parking sensors
• Traffic sign recognition
• LED headlights

Citroen C3 Saint James

A more recent range-topping Citreoen C3 is the Saint James version, which builds on what Citroen C3 Shine models have to offer. Stand-out features are:

• Bi-tone paintwork
• Black or white roof
• Bi-tone alloy wheels
• Reversing camera

Is a used Citroen C3 a good buy?

The Citroen C3 is a small car that has plenty of appeal for those looking for a stylish and good-value model that’s of a similar size and price to a Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo.

Indeed, the French chic of the Citroen C3 is certainly a good selling point, compared with the ubiquity of the Ford and the Volkswagen’s lack of flair.

The Citroen C3’s exterior looks are definitely distinctive, and used prices can be extremely attractive.