07/09/2025
🚗 Citroën C3 Brake Failure: The Surprising Cause!
At Bennett Autos, in Littlehampton, we recently had a Citroën C3 (2018 model) come in with a worrying complaint: the brake pedal was sporadically dropping to the floor. The fault was intermittent—sometimes the brakes worked perfectly, but sporadically the pedal went straight down with little stopping power.
Naturally, the customer was concerned, and rightly so. Brake issues are a serious safety risk that should never be ignored.
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🔎 The Symptoms
• Brake pedal occasionally hitting the floor during braking
• No visible brake fluid leaks
• Braking fault occurred more often while cornering or under steering load
At first glance, this kind of issue is often linked to a master cylinder fault or vacuum pump problem, both of which are common on some Citroën models. But after a thorough investigation, we uncovered something more unusual.
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🛠️ The Root Cause: Anti-Roll Bar Wear
The fault was traced to excessive movement in the front anti-roll bar. The worn bar and its bushings allowed the bar to shift under cornering forces.
That movement was enough to push against the brake caliper during turning, effectively reducing braking efficiency and causing the pedal to sink unexpectedly.
It’s a rare but dangerous failure mode, and one that could easily be overlooked without a detailed inspection.
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✅ The Fix: Front Anti-Roll Bar Replacement
Unlike smaller components such as bushings, which can sometimes be replaced separately, on the Citroën C3 the entire anti-roll bar must be changed to restore safety and reliability. Once replaced, the brakes operated perfectly again—no pedal drop, no loss of confidence.
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🚘 Why Choose Bennett Autos in Littlehampton?
At Bennett Autos, we pride ourselves on solving not just the common faults, but the unusual ones too.
• Transparent diagnosis process
• Safety-first approach—brakes are one system you simply cannot take chances with
If you’re experiencing:
• Soft or sinking brake pedals
• Brake failure when turning
• Or any other intermittent braking issues
…then get in touch with us.
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📞 Book Your Brake Check Today
Don’t wait until it’s too late—if your brakes feel anything less than 100%, book a brake inspection with Bennett Autos in Littlehampton today.
👉 Call us on 01903 733 220 or visit our workshop to book your appointment.
Your safety on the road is our priority.
