2013 Citroen C-Zero — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 319 MOT tests, the 2013 Citroen C-Zero recorded a 79.6% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (20.0% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, steering and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 9.4% of tests against 5.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are linkage ball joint dust cover, track rod end and ball joint dust cover — linkage ball joint dust cover alone was recorded 24 times.
A 60-90k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 27.4% versus 13.2%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 33.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 9.4% | 30 |
| 2 | Steering | 5.6% | 18 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.3% | 17 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.4% | 14 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.4% | 14 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 3.8% | 12 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 24 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 24 |
| 3 | Ball joint dust cover | 16 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 9 |
| 5 | Washers | 7 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 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 | Suspension | 33.5% | 107 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.7% | 98 |
| 3 | Brakes | 24.8% | 79 |
| 4 | Steering | 12.8% | 41 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.3% | 17 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.7% | 15 |
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 | 76 | 13.2% |
| 30-60k | 145 | 20.7% |
| 60-90k | 84 | 27.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 65 | 20.0% |
| 2022 | 67 | 22.4% |
| 2023 | 68 | 19.1% |
| 2024 | 60 | 21.7% |
| 2025 | 59 | 18.6% |
What to check before buying a 2013 C-Zero
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 9.4% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (9.4% 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.
- Steering (5.6% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
- Brakes (5.3% 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.
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 2013 Citroen C-Zeros pass their MOT?
79.6% of the 319 2013 Citroen C-Zero MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Citroen C-Zero?
Suspension, recorded in 9.4% of tests, followed by steering (5.6%).
Does the 2013 C-Zero get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.2% in the 0-30k band to 27.4% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 319 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.