1998 Citroen Berlingo — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1998 Citroen Berlingo passed 71.4% of its 1,195 recorded MOT tests. Vans of a similar age fail at 29.6%, so the 1998 Berlingo sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.4%) and suspension (15.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, service brake performance and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 97 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 27.2% in the 30-60k band and 32.5% in the 150k+ band, a 5.4-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 33.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 30.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 32.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 196 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.6% | 186 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.3% | 147 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.0% | 108 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.8% | 69 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.3% | 63 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 97 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 80 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 73 |
| 4 | Individual direction indicators | 59 |
| 5 | Service brake imbalance | 53 |
| 6 | Wipers | 53 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 33.5% | 400 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.1% | 312 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 25.0% | 299 |
| 4 | Tyres | 24.8% | 296 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.5% | 209 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.6% | 198 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 92 | 27.2% |
| 60-90k | 202 | 24.8% |
| 90-120k | 358 | 28.2% |
| 120-150k | 243 | 29.2% |
| 150k+ | 292 | 32.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,028 | 28.4% |
| Petrol | 163 | 30.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 328 | 30.5% |
| 2022 | 281 | 29.2% |
| 2023 | 224 | 25.4% |
| 2024 | 187 | 25.1% |
| 2025 | 175 | 32.0% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Berlingo
On a 1998 Berlingo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (12.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1998 Citroen Berlingos pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 1,195 1998 Citroen Berlingo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Citroen Berlingo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests, followed by suspension (15.6%).
Does the 1998 Berlingo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.2% in the 30-60k band to 32.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,195 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.