2023 Citroen Berlingo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 326 MOT tests, the 2023 Citroen Berlingo recorded a 91.7% pass rate. Vans of a similar age fail at 9.1%, so the 2023 Berlingo sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 7.1% of all tests — 4.0 points clear of tyres, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, registration plate lamp(s) and washers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 16 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 4.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 20.6% once past 60-90k — 5.2× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 12.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.1% | 23 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.1% | 10 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.1% | 7 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.8% | 6 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.9% | 3 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.6% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 16 |
| 2 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 8 |
| 3 | Washers | 6 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 6 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 6 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim not tested | 4 |
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 | 12.6% | 41 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.8% | 32 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.6% | 15 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.4% | 11 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.8% | 9 |
| 6 | Other defects | 1.2% | 4 |
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 | 151 | 4.0% |
| 30-60k | 135 | 9.6% |
| 60-90k | 34 | 20.6% |
What to check before buying a 2023 Berlingo
On a 2023 Berlingo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (7.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (3.1% 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.
- Visibility (2.1% 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.
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 2023 Citroen Berlingos pass their MOT?
91.7% of the 326 2023 Citroen Berlingo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 Citroen Berlingo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.1% of tests, followed by tyres (3.1%).
Does the 2023 Berlingo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.0% in the 0-30k band to 20.6% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 326 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.