2012 Citroen C-Zero — MOT failures & pass rate
459 MOT tests on the 2012 Citroen C-Zero are in this dataset, and 84.1% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (21.6% fail rate), the 2012 C-Zero comes out 5.7pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (5.5%) and brakes (5.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, washers and rigid brake pipes — track rod end alone was recorded 23 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2012 C-Zero fails 16.9% of the time in the 0-30k band and 20.5% at 60-90k, a spread of only 3.6 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 26.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.5% | 25 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.0% | 23 |
| 3 | Visibility | 4.6% | 21 |
| 4 | Steering | 4.1% | 19 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.1% | 19 |
| 6 | Suspension | 3.3% | 15 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 23 |
| 2 | Washers | 13 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 9 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 8 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 7 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 7 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 26.8% | 123 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.6% | 113 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.3% | 107 |
| 4 | Steering | 13.1% | 60 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 3.9% | 18 |
| 6 | Other defects | 3.5% | 16 |
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 | 124 | 16.9% |
| 30-60k | 256 | 13.7% |
| 60-90k | 73 | 20.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 94 | 16.0% |
| 2022 | 102 | 14.7% |
| 2023 | 99 | 16.2% |
| 2024 | 85 | 17.6% |
| 2025 | 79 | 15.2% |
What to check before buying a 2012 C-Zero
On a 2012 C-Zero, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (5.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.0% 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.
- Visibility (4.6% 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.
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 C-Zeros pass their MOT?
84.1% of the 459 2012 Citroen C-Zero MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Citroen C-Zero?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.5% of tests, followed by brakes (5.0%).
Does the 2012 C-Zero get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.9% in the 0-30k band to 20.5% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 459 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.