2003 Citroen Berlingo — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2003 Citroen Berlingo passed 69.9% of its 24,365 recorded MOT tests. Vans of a similar age fail at 30.0%, so the 2003 Berlingo sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 19.4% of all tests — 4.4 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are stop lamp, position lamp and headlamp aim — stop lamp alone was recorded 1,579 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.3% in the 0-30k band and 33.0% in the 150k+ band, a 12.7-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.0pp more often than petrol ones (30.5% vs 28.5%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 35.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.4% | 4,728 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.0% | 3,656 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.8% | 2,871 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.7% | 2,359 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.4% | 1,796 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 6.4% | 1,567 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stop lamp | 1,579 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 1,456 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,377 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 1,376 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,254 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 1,154 |
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 | 35.0% | 8,537 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.5% | 7,182 |
| 3 | Suspension | 27.2% | 6,625 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.8% | 5,056 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.5% | 4,274 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.9% | 3,881 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 187 | 20.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,464 | 22.0% |
| 60-90k | 4,341 | 27.2% |
| 90-120k | 6,771 | 29.8% |
| 120-150k | 5,994 | 32.0% |
| 150k+ | 5,551 | 33.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 19,513 | 30.5% |
| Petrol | 4,834 | 28.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,141 | 30.9% |
| 2022 | 5,779 | 29.8% |
| 2023 | 4,763 | 30.0% |
| 2024 | 3,715 | 29.3% |
| 2025 | 2,967 | 30.2% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Berlingo
On a 2003 Berlingo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.0% 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 (11.8% 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 2003 Citroen Berlingos pass their MOT?
69.9% of the 24,365 2003 Citroen Berlingo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Citroen Berlingo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.4% of tests, followed by suspension (15.0%).
Does the 2003 Berlingo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.3% in the 0-30k band to 33.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 24,365 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.