2006 Citroen Berlingo — MOT failures & pass rate
41,715 MOT tests on the 2006 Citroen Berlingo are in this dataset, and 71.3% of them passed. That is effectively the same as vans of a similar age (29.5% 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 18.2% of tests against 14.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are stop lamp, position lamp and wipers — stop lamp alone was recorded 2,779 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 18.7% in the 0-30k band and 31.6% in the 150k+ band, a 12.9-point spread.
The petrol cars hold up better: 26.5% fail against 29.1% for diesel, a 2.6-point gap across 41,710 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 30.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.2% | 7,574 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.4% | 6,013 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.3% | 3,865 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.6% | 3,573 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.7% | 2,792 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.3% | 2,626 |
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 | 2,779 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 2,748 |
| 3 | Wipers | 1,966 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,909 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 1,892 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 1,833 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 30.4% | 12,674 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.3% | 12,231 |
| 3 | Suspension | 24.6% | 10,258 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 23.8% | 9,909 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.3% | 6,813 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.0% | 5,834 |
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 | 337 | 18.7% |
| 30-60k | 2,863 | 20.8% |
| 60-90k | 7,926 | 26.5% |
| 90-120k | 12,284 | 28.8% |
| 120-150k | 10,409 | 30.3% |
| 150k+ | 7,835 | 31.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 35,149 | 29.1% |
| Petrol | 6,561 | 26.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11,184 | 28.3% |
| 2022 | 9,784 | 28.3% |
| 2023 | 8,362 | 28.9% |
| 2024 | 6,831 | 29.2% |
| 2025 | 5,554 | 28.9% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Berlingo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.4% 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 (9.3% 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 2006 Citroen Berlingos pass their MOT?
71.3% of the 41,715 2006 Citroen Berlingo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Citroen Berlingo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.2% of tests, followed by suspension (14.4%).
Does the 2006 Berlingo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.7% in the 0-30k band to 31.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 41,715 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.