Citroen C5 MOT pass rate and common problems
81.6% of 34,516 Citroen C5 MOT tests pass.
The C5 passes its MOT 81.6% of the time — well above the average across all Citroen models, which sits at 71.7%.
The Citroen C5 has a pass rate of 81.6%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Citroen C5?
This is the average across every Citroen C5 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Citroen’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Citroen C5 tested at 0–3 years pass 91.7% of the time, compared with just 63.2% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 91.7% | 1,333 | 23,409 miles |
| 3–6 years | 89.6% | 21,341 | 33,209 miles |
| 6–10 years | 78.7% | 619 | 82,541 miles |
| 10–15 years | 67.6% | 5,275 | 113,105 miles |
| 15+ years | 63.2% | 5,948 | 120,468 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Citroen C5
The most common reason the Citroen C5 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 55.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 55.9% | Not working |
| Brakes | 32.1% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Suspension | 29.1% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Tyres | 27.1% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Body, chassis, structure | 17.5% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Visibility | 13.4% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.4% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Steering | 7.4% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Road Wheels | 1.4% | Fixing missing |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.1% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
Buying a used Citroen C5: what to check
These checks follow the Citroen C5’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Citroen C5 comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 78.7% to 67.6%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 86.5% down to 74.5%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 55.9% of failed Citroen C5 MOTs. 31.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.8% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 32.1% of failed Citroen C5 MOTs. 20.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 3.5% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 29.1% of failed Citroen C5 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 22.2% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 27.1% of failed Citroen C5 MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 17.5% of failed Citroen C5 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 11.3% of tests at 10–15 years failed on bodywork and corrosion.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Citroen service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Citroen models
- Citroen Dispatch — 69.7% pass rate
- Citroen C3 Aircross — 88.0% pass rate
- Citroen Xsara — 57.4% pass rate
- Citroen C4 Cactus — 80.5% pass rate
- Citroen C4 Grand Picasso — 70.7% pass rate
- Citroen Relay — 71.0% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Citroen C5?
- 81.6% of Citroen C5 MOT tests pass, based on 34,516 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Citroen C5?
- The most common reason the Citroen C5 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 55.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Citroen C5?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Citroen C5 are lights and electrics; brakes; suspension. 31.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.8% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Citroen C5?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; suspension; tyres; bodywork and corrosion. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Citroen C5's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Citroen service history guide for how to check and keep one.