Mercedes-Benz Citan MOT pass rate and common problems
72.0% of 26,313 Mercedes-Benz Citan MOT tests pass.
The Citan passes 72.0% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Mercedes-Benz models (83.5%).
The Mercedes-Benz Citan passes 72.0% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Mercedes-Benz Citan?
This is the average across every Mercedes-Benz Citan 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 Mercedes-Benz’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 78.1% at 3–6 years to 64.7% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (1) | 1 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 78.1% | 6,083 | 86,250 miles |
| 6–10 years | 71.3% | 16,621 | 104,132 miles |
| 10–15 years | 64.7% | 3,608 | 128,236 miles |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Mercedes-Benz Citan
The most common reason the Mercedes-Benz Citan fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 68.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 68.5% | Not working |
| Brakes | 38.8% | Excessively corroded |
| Tyres | 23.2% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Body, chassis, structure | 21.3% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Visibility | 18.2% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Suspension | 17.7% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Steering | 13.5% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.2% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.0% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Road Wheels | 0.9% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Mercedes-Benz Citan: what to check
These checks follow the Mercedes-Benz Citan’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 Mercedes-Benz Citan comes between 3–6 years and 6–10 years old, from 78.1% to 71.3%. 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: 87.8% down to 76.3%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 68.5% of failed Mercedes-Benz Citan MOTs.
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 38.8% of failed Mercedes-Benz Citan MOTs. 23.9% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes, against 8.2% at 3–6 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. Tyres
Recorded in 23.2% of failed Mercedes-Benz Citan 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.
4. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 21.3% of failed Mercedes-Benz Citan MOTs. 10.4% of tests at 10–15 years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 4.0% at 3–6 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 18.2% of failed Mercedes-Benz Citan MOTs.
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 Mercedes-Benz service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Mercedes-Benz models
- Mercedes-Benz SL — 88.1% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz CLS — 81.0% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz Sprinter — 76.9% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz V-Class — 87.1% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz SLC — 89.8% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz Eqc — 88.9% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Mercedes-Benz Citan?
- 72.0% of Mercedes-Benz Citan MOT tests pass, based on 26,313 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Mercedes-Benz Citan?
- The most common reason the Mercedes-Benz Citan fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 68.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Mercedes-Benz Citan?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Mercedes-Benz Citan are lights and electrics; brakes; tyres.
- What should I check when buying a used Mercedes-Benz Citan?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; tyres; 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 Mercedes-Benz Citan'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 Mercedes-Benz service history guide for how to check and keep one.