Scared to drive my 17 yo car - Citroen C1 cool

[user1471867483]

Just over the last few weeks, my car has been making creaking, clunking and knocking noises under the car, more so going over bumps in the road. I called out the RAC who after looking at it with a torch "couldn't find anything hanging off and to get it checked out by a garage to be on the safe side". I took it to Kwik Fit who put the car on their ramp, but they couldn't find anything either; he even shook the car from side to side. I took the car out yesterday and again it was making the same noises. I can't believe there's nothing wrong with it?

Mine is creaky and noisy. Been to lots of mechanics, passed multiple MOTs so it continues to live on,

Dont overthink it

I have a c1, they're tiny things, could the bumps you're going over be knocking the exhaust?
You'd know if something was dragging!
C1's+ state of our roads are a clunky combo

If there is no oil leaked when parked on a clean surface and it has been checked by MOT or reputable mechanic then it is probably just fine: You could ask a mechanic to specifically check the brakes (as a safety item thus vital) but anything else would just be tedious if it did break. My 32 year old Golf has travelled 380,000km and is a bit noisy too.

If you go to a 'destruction Derby' (banger racing) or some of Top Gear's exploits (when they are not being total derrieres) you can see that cars are actually pretty tough as long as you check the obvious and enquire if new noises appear.
I don't mean when the ashtray is full or the window winder breaks but in terms of genreral safety they are pretty good.

Bushes may need replacing

Thank you very much, all. I did mention the suspension bushes to the Kwik Fit guy, but he didn't say a thing about them 🤷. It's a mystery. I just know there is something wrong; there's got to be. It's never made the noise like that before.

My ancient Smart car makes a right racket sometimes but I did a 300 mile round trip in it the other week and it was absolutely fine. Think it just likes to scare me every now and then.

Identifying 'random noises' is always difficult BUT you can do quite a bit of 'sleuthing' yourself to narrow it down. My friends car developed a 'squeak' on occasions but just LIGHTLY touching the brakes while driving normally revealed the squeak was the brake pads not releasing promptly when they normally should. For example when driving WHEN does it occur? Does it stop if you steer a bit left or a bit right? Is it a 'rattle' sort of noise but only when going over bumps? Does it happen at all speeds and in which gear? Importantly WHAT CHANGES the noise ( if anything); Does the noise appear immediately you start driving or after things have 'warmed up'? Open a window and try to work out if it is left side, right side front or rear (or a combination). Your replies to these qusetions will be very helpful to any mechanic you might get to look at it even thjough it is difficult to remember everything. A 'squeaky' fan for the heating(cooling) or even a leaf or stick getting battered by a fan blade which would likel stop if yoy turn the fan off.
So many clues if you are methodical. Obviously if trying anyt 'tricks' such as touching the brakes and turning, make sure you have a clear road in front and behind for safety.