Citroen Relay MOT pass rate and common problems
71.0% of 21,734 Citroen Relay MOT tests pass.
The Relay's pass rate of 71.0% is in line with the average across all Citroen models, at 71.7%.
The Citroen Relay passes 71.0% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Citroen Relay?
This is the average across every Citroen Relay 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 Relay tested at 0–3 years pass 86.6% of the time, compared with just 61.1% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 86.6% | 396 | 34,043 miles |
| 3–6 years | 84.5% | 2,317 | 51,140 miles |
| 6–10 years | 77.1% | 7,229 | 91,959 miles |
| 10–15 years | 67.6% | 5,493 | 115,703 miles |
| 15+ years | 61.1% | 6,299 | 113,567 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Citroen Relay
The most common reason the Citroen Relay fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 77.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 77.8% | Not working |
| Brakes | 60.5% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Suspension | 59.5% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Body, chassis, structure | 31.5% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Visibility | 21.9% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 13.0% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Tyres | 12.7% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Steering | 6.4% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 6.3% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.1% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Citroen Relay: what to check
These checks follow the Citroen Relay’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 Relay comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 77.1% 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 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 87.4% down to 79.1%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 77.8% of failed Citroen Relay MOTs. 37.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 13.9% 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 60.5% of failed Citroen Relay MOTs.
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 59.5% of failed Citroen Relay MOTs. 43.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 1.0% at 0–3 years.
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. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 31.5% of failed Citroen Relay MOTs. 28.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 1.0% at 0–3 years.
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.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 21.9% of failed Citroen Relay MOTs. 10.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 3.0% at 0–3 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
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 C5 — 81.6% pass rate
- Citroen C4 Cactus — 80.5% pass rate
- Citroen C4 Grand Picasso — 70.7% pass rate
- Citroen Nemo — 66.3% pass rate
- Citroen C2 — 60.7% pass rate
- Citroen DS4 — 64.6% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Citroen Relay?
- 71.0% of Citroen Relay MOT tests pass, based on 21,734 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Citroen Relay?
- The most common reason the Citroen Relay fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 77.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Citroen Relay?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Citroen Relay are lights and electrics; brakes; suspension. 37.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 13.9% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Citroen Relay?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; suspension; bodywork and corrosion; windscreen and wipers. 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 Relay'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.