Citroen Berlingo: what fails at MOT
240,000 MOT tests on the Citroen Berlingo in 2024, counted. 40.1% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
40.1% of Citroen Berlingo tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 25.5%, so the Berlingo does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (17.5% of tests), suspension (7.5% of tests) and brakes (5.9% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics, suspension and brakes more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 17,521 | 27.7% | 10.9% | 39,000 25,500 to 55,400 |
| 2020 | 18,720 | 27.0% | 11.5% | 47,800 31,000 to 67,600 |
| 2019 | 20,136 | 26.5% | 13.4% | 53,600 34,900 to 78,600 |
| 2018 | 16,767 | 36.8% | 15.6% | 70,100 46,900 to 95,200 |
| 2017 | 16,538 | 39.6% | 18.2% | 80,800 56,800 to 107,700 |
| 2016 | 18,780 | 39.0% | 21.3% | 83,200 57,000 to 113,200 |
| 2015 | 19,990 | 42.6% | 24.4% | 91,300 64,100 to 122,900 |
| 2014 | 18,910 | 44.5% | 27.7% | 99,200 70,200 to 131,300 |
| 2013 | 16,631 | 44.9% | 30.6% | 105,300 75,000 to 139,100 |
| 2012 | 13,234 | 47.6% | 33.4% | 108,600 78,700 to 142,900 |
| 2011 | 10,605 | 47.2% | 36.1% | 116,600 85,600 to 149,800 |
| 2010 | 10,091 | 46.9% | 38.6% | 121,900 90,900 to 155,800 |
| 2009 | 10,867 | 49.0% | 39.8% | 117,800 89,900 to 148,100 |
| 2008 | 7,752 | 49.5% | 41.5% | 116,700 90,300 to 146,900 |
| 2007 | 7,253 | 47.8% | 41.5% | 113,400 87,600 to 142,900 |
| 2006 | 6,794 | 48.2% | 42.4% | 117,800 90,700 to 143,700 |
| 2005 | 4,799 | 50.1% | 42.2% | 116,300 88,700 to 144,600 |
| 2004 | 4,635 | 48.1% | 42.3% | 117,600 90,500 to 145,400 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Citroen Berlingo tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Berlingo | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 17.5% | 6.8% | More than most |
| Suspension | 7.5% | 5.5% | More than most |
| Brakes | 5.9% | 4.2% | More than most |
| Body and structure | 5.6% | 2.0% | More than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 5.6% | 2.9% | More than most |
| Tyres | 5.1% | 4.1% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.7% | 1.9% | More than most |
| Steering | 2.0% | 1.2% | More than most |
The parts that fail most
- Side light5.9%
- Brake light5.4%
- Driveshaft joint4.1%
- Number plate light3.9%
- Headlamp aim3.4%
- Tyre3.4%
- Headlamp3.2%
- Washers3.2%
- Tyre tread2.8%
- Coil spring2.6%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working5.7%
- Brake light: not working4.9%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.9%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps3.4%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.8%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.6%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.2%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.0%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.9%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge16.6%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened6.9%
- Brake pads: wearing thin6.4%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive5.9%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.2%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing3.8%
- Footbrake: binding but not excessively2.0%
- Indicators: slightly discoloured1.9%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
Check a Citroen Berlingo's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.