Citroen common problems and MOT failures
From 1,728,074 MOT tests in 2024, 22.5% of Citroen vehicles failed. Below are the most common reasons, ranked by how often they occur.
Top Citroen MOT failure reasons
| # | Problem | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | suspension pin, bush or joint worn | 64,146 |
| 2 | transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 53,062 |
| 3 | tyre tread depth outside legal limits | 43,626 |
| 4 | lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 41,462 |
| 5 | rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 40,441 |
| 6 | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits the requirements | 37,402 |
| 7 | spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 33,906 |
| 8 | stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 30,812 |
| 9 | tyre seriously damaged | 29,008 |
| 10 | windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 27,075 |
What this means if you're buying a Citroen
The single most common MOT failure for Citroen is suspension pin, bush or joint worn, accounting for 16% of all failure items. Suspension repairs typically cost £150–£400 depending on the component.
These figures are from real MOT inspections — they show what testers actually find wrong with Citroen vehicles. If you're viewing a used Citroen, it's worth checking these areas specifically.
Citroen models by MOT pass rate
Lowest pass rates first — these models have the most testable issues.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Xsara | 43,137 | 68.4% |
| C2 | 20,243 | 70.1% |
| Ds3 | 140,876 | 73.1% |
| Ds4 | 19,467 | 73.7% |
| Nemo | 22,936 | 74.2% |
| C4 | 233,244 | 74.9% |
| Relay | 90,201 | 75.8% |
| Dispatch | 61,588 | 75.8% |
| Berlingo | 284,435 | 76.4% |
| C3 | 292,541 | 77.4% |
| C4 Grand Picasso | 16,892 | 79.9% |
| C1 | 222,119 | 80.2% |
| C3 Picasso | 10,233 | 81.9% |
| C4 Picasso | 9,533 | 83% |
| C4 Cactus | 32,830 | 83.7% |
Buying a specific Citroen? Check the individual vehicle's MOT history for free on GOV.UK to see its actual test results, advisories, and mileage readings.
Check MOT history on GOV.UK