Citroen C3 2nd gen. model name

[Gregory88]

Hello folks, I have a Citroen C3 from 2012. According to my VIN it corresponds to a C3 A51, and I was told that it was the same as a C3 SC, C3 SX and C3 II... The thing is that now that I'm looking for a spare part, it appears they are actually not the same! I am beyond confused, can someone who is more knowledgeable in the subject clear my doubts?

[PaulC5]

Best thing to get the right parts is to use your VIN in the parts diagrams. You can put in a request for part numbers on the forum if you pay a £10 donation which goes towards the cost of accessing them. The donation lasts for requests for up to 3 calendar years so is excellent value.

[GiveMeABreak]

Hello folks, I have a Citroen C3 from 2012. According to my VIN it corresponds to a C3 A51, and I was told that it was the same as a C3 SC, C3 SX and C3 II... The thing is that now that I'm looking for a spare part, it appears they are actually not the same! I am beyond confused, can someone who is more knowledgeable in the subject clear my doubts?

No these are not the same.
There was the original C3, the C3 II, then the C3 A51 and several later incarnations - all different.

[Gregory88]

No these are not the same.
There was the original C3, the C3 II, then the C3 A51 and several later incarnations - all different.

I see, so considering there is a C3 III, the A51 would be like a C3 II 1/2? Like the revision of a revision?

[Gregory88]

Best thing to get the right parts is to use your VIN in the parts diagrams. You can put in a request for part numbers on the forum if you pay a £10 donation which goes towards the cost of accessing them. The donation lasts for requests for up to 3 calendar years so is excellent value.

I had no idea about that, I'll look into it. The thing is, I know the part number for the spare I need, but it's completely out of stock in my country... So I was wondering if the spare parts for a C3 II would be compatible, since I thought that C3 II = C3 A51

[GiveMeABreak]

No these are not the same.
There was the original C3, the C3 II, then the C3 A51 and several later incarnations - all different.

I see, so considering there is a C3 III, the A51 would be like a C3 II 1/2? Like the revision of a revision?

No, there's no actual C3 III. C3, then facelifted (MK II), then the A51 and then later versions that are completely different body styles and engines again going forward.

[Gregory88]

No, there's no actual C3 III. C3, then facelifted (MK II), then the A51 and then later versions that are completely different body styles and engines again going forward.

So instead of seeing them like revisions, they are more like different models under the same branding?

[GiveMeABreak]

They can be referred to as different things by different people "New C3" for example - can mean anything! Some vehicles are more easily identified by their model code from Citroen (but not everyone knows these either).

So best to use the year of manufacture, so we have a better idea of the version.

Have a look here for some images of the various models throughout the years (note the internal PSA model names are not provided).

https://www.autoevolution.com/citroen/c3/