2010 Citroen Berlingo — MOT failures & pass rate
53,242 MOT tests on the 2010 Citroen Berlingo are in this dataset, and 72.2% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail at 27.5%, so the 2010 Berlingo sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 21.6% of all tests — 9.4 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, stop lamp and joints — position lamp alone was recorded 5,182 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.3% in the 0-30k band and 30.4% in the 150k+ band, a 14.1-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 5.8pp more often than petrol ones (28.0% vs 22.2%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 29.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 26.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.6% | 11,522 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.3% | 6,529 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 4,332 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.3% | 3,891 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.1% | 3,243 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.1% | 3,240 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 5,182 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 4,003 |
| 3 | Joints | 3,704 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 2,969 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 2,717 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 2,706 |
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 | 29.4% | 15,647 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.2% | 12,892 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 24.1% | 12,821 |
| 4 | Brakes | 23.7% | 12,614 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.3% | 9,227 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.1% | 5,358 |
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 | 737 | 16.3% |
| 30-60k | 4,465 | 21.2% |
| 60-90k | 9,673 | 25.0% |
| 90-120k | 13,279 | 28.1% |
| 120-150k | 11,794 | 30.0% |
| 150k+ | 13,195 | 30.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 51,196 | 28.0% |
| Petrol | 2,041 | 22.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11,826 | 26.6% |
| 2022 | 11,378 | 27.1% |
| 2023 | 10,966 | 28.4% |
| 2024 | 10,031 | 28.3% |
| 2025 | 9,041 | 29.0% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Berlingo
On a 2010 Berlingo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (21.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.3% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (8.1% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2010 Citroen Berlingos pass their MOT?
72.2% of the 53,242 2010 Citroen Berlingo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Citroen Berlingo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.6% of tests, followed by suspension (12.3%).
Does the 2010 Berlingo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.3% in the 0-30k band to 30.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 53,242 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.