2012 Citroen Berlingo — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2012 Citroen Berlingo passed 73.7% of its 67,991 recorded MOT tests. Vans of a similar age fail at 25.6%, so the 2012 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 20.9% of all tests — 9.1 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 6,135 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.6% in the 0-30k band and 29.0% in the 150k+ band, a 12.4-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 28.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 24.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.9% | 14,239 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.8% | 8,060 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.8% | 5,319 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.5% | 4,394 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.9% | 3,989 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.7% | 3,844 |
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 | 6,135 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 5,582 |
| 3 | Joints | 5,285 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 3,981 |
| 5 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 3,405 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 3,320 |
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 | 28.4% | 19,342 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.0% | 14,950 |
| 3 | Suspension | 21.7% | 14,756 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.7% | 12,017 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.2% | 5,554 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.3% | 4,986 |
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 | 1,773 | 16.6% |
| 30-60k | 8,830 | 20.6% |
| 60-90k | 16,412 | 25.0% |
| 90-120k | 17,020 | 27.9% |
| 120-150k | 12,147 | 28.4% |
| 150k+ | 11,750 | 29.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 67,554 | 26.3% |
| Petrol | 437 | 20.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14,219 | 24.1% |
| 2022 | 14,185 | 25.2% |
| 2023 | 13,955 | 26.9% |
| 2024 | 13,243 | 27.7% |
| 2025 | 12,389 | 27.9% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Berlingo
On a 2012 Berlingo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (20.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.8% 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 (7.8% 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 2012 Citroen Berlingos pass their MOT?
73.7% of the 67,991 2012 Citroen Berlingo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Citroen Berlingo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.9% of tests, followed by suspension (11.8%).
Does the 2012 Berlingo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.6% in the 0-30k band to 29.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 67,991 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.