2021 Citroen Berlingo — MOT failures & pass rate
28,882 MOT tests on the 2021 Citroen Berlingo are in this dataset, and 83.9% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail 13.9% of the time, so this is 2.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 12.5% of all tests — 4.0 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and headlamp — wipers alone was recorded 2,193 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 11.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 20.7% once past 150k.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 14.9% of the time against 16.1% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 23.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 14.0% of tests failed in 2023 against 15.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 3,622 |
| 2 | Visibility | 8.6% | 2,479 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.1% | 1,476 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.0% | 1,443 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.1% | 323 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.0% | 293 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 2,193 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 2,042 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 1,359 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 1,332 |
| 5 | Washers | 871 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 864 |
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 | 23.2% | 6,707 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.0% | 5,490 |
| 3 | Visibility | 7.4% | 2,152 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 5.5% | 1,578 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.3% | 1,239 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.6% | 762 |
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 | 7,177 | 11.2% |
| 30-60k | 13,479 | 17.4% |
| 60-90k | 6,257 | 17.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,533 | 18.9% |
| 120-150k | 354 | 18.9% |
| 150k+ | 82 | 20.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 27,117 | 16.1% |
| Petrol | 1,759 | 14.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 387 | 14.0% |
| 2024 | 14,548 | 16.4% |
| 2025 | 13,910 | 15.8% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Berlingo
On a 2021 Berlingo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (8.6% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (5.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2021 Citroen Berlingos pass their MOT?
83.9% of the 28,882 2021 Citroen Berlingo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Citroen Berlingo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.5% of tests, followed by visibility (8.6%).
Does the 2021 Berlingo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.2% in the 0-30k band to 20.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 28,882 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.