Citroen C5: what fails at MOT
32,000 MOT tests on the Citroen C5 in 2024, counted. 22% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
21.9% of Citroen C5 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 19.9%, so the C5 is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (6.8% of tests), tyres (3.6% of tests) and brakes (3.4% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics and body and structure 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 | 2,301 | 9.9% | 10.9% | 22,400 16,000 to 31,600 |
| 2020 | 9,922 | 12.6% | 11.5% | 28,000 19,600 to 38,000 |
| 2019 | 10,294 | 16.7% | 13.4% | 35,000 25,600 to 45,100 |
| 2013 | 457 | 35.4% | 30.6% | 95,400 68,600 to 120,400 |
| 2012 | 486 | 33.5% | 33.4% | 100,900 75,400 to 131,100 |
| 2011 | 718 | 35.8% | 36.1% | 110,800 85,200 to 137,100 |
| 2010 | 1,488 | 42.2% | 38.6% | 115,500 93,200 to 138,200 |
| 2009 | 2,214 | 41.9% | 39.8% | 117,300 92,800 to 143,700 |
| 2008 | 1,471 | 44.3% | 41.5% | 119,500 94,100 to 143,900 |
| 2007 | 514 | 47.5% | 41.5% | 119,600 85,200 to 142,300 |
| 2006 | 612 | 40.2% | 42.4% | 112,400 84,500 to 141,100 |
| 2005 | 408 | 46.8% | 42.2% | 114,300 91,900 to 150,400 |
| 2004 | 497 | 41.6% | 42.3% | 108,100 83,800 to 143,300 |
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 C5 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | C5 | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics More than most | 6.8% | 5.0% |
| Tyres | 3.6% | 3.5% |
| Brakes | 3.4% | 3.1% |
| Suspension | 3.1% | 3.5% |
| Body and structure More than most | 2.6% | 1.4% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.0% | 2.6% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.3% | 1.4% |
| Steering | 1.0% | 0.7% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre2.4%
- Driveshaft joint2.4%
- Number plate light2.1%
- Headlamp aim1.8%
- Brake pads1.6%
- Side light1.5%
- Tyre tread1.4%
- Washers1.3%
- Brake light1.3%
- Suspension pins and bushes1.2%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.3%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.9%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.5%
- Side light: not working1.4%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.3%
- Brake light: not working1.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.1%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.0%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.0%
- Headlamp aim: too low0.8%
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 edge11.8%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.0%
- Brake pads: wearing thin6.8%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.6%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive3.0%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement2.0%
- Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play1.8%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.8%
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?”
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Citroen C5's own MOT record
Looking at a C5? Type its registration to 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.