1999 Citroen Berlingo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,684 MOT tests, the 1999 Citroen Berlingo recorded a 69.8% pass rate. That is effectively the same as vans of a similar age (29.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.8% of tests against 14.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, position lamp and service brake performance — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 131 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 24.0% in the 30-60k band and 32.6% in the 150k+ band, a 8.6-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 34.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 30.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 34.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.8% | 317 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.7% | 248 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.1% | 220 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.6% | 161 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.1% | 119 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.5% | 92 |
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 | 131 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 113 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 107 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 98 |
| 5 | Wipers | 95 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 93 |
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 | 34.2% | 576 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 31.9% | 537 |
| 3 | Suspension | 29.7% | 500 |
| 4 | Tyres | 23.5% | 395 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.4% | 326 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.8% | 300 |
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 | 129 | 24.0% |
| 60-90k | 320 | 29.1% |
| 90-120k | 429 | 30.8% |
| 120-150k | 380 | 30.3% |
| 150k+ | 405 | 32.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,456 | 30.2% |
| Petrol | 228 | 30.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 503 | 30.6% |
| 2022 | 408 | 29.2% |
| 2023 | 309 | 26.2% |
| 2024 | 252 | 32.9% |
| 2025 | 212 | 34.0% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Berlingo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.7% 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 (13.1% 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 1999 Citroen Berlingos pass their MOT?
69.8% of the 1,684 1999 Citroen Berlingo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Citroen Berlingo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.8% of tests, followed by suspension (14.7%).
Does the 1999 Berlingo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.0% in the 30-60k band to 32.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,684 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.