2005 Citroen C1 — MOT failures & pass rate
5,254 MOT tests on the 2005 Citroen C1 are in this dataset, and 70.5% of them passed. City cars of a similar age fail at 29.3%, so the 2005 C1 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 24.5% of all tests — 13.3 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 899 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 36.5% versus 15.3%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 35.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 24.5% | 1,285 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.2% | 589 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.6% | 505 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 365 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.9% | 364 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.0% | 313 |
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 | 899 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 521 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 372 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 361 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 324 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 262 |
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 | 35.1% | 1,845 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.8% | 1,828 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.5% | 1,550 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 23.7% | 1,243 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.7% | 668 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.0% | 368 |
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 | 131 | 15.3% |
| 30-60k | 710 | 22.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,660 | 29.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,823 | 30.9% |
| 120-150k | 704 | 33.0% |
| 150k+ | 222 | 36.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 5,046 | 29.4% |
| Diesel | 208 | 31.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,340 | 30.6% |
| 2022 | 1,137 | 28.1% |
| 2023 | 1,049 | 29.7% |
| 2024 | 924 | 29.5% |
| 2025 | 804 | 29.5% |
What to check before buying a 2005 C1
On a 2005 C1, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 24.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (24.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.2% 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.
- Suspension (9.6% 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.
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 2005 Citroen C1s pass their MOT?
70.5% of the 5,254 2005 Citroen C1 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Citroen C1?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 24.5% of tests, followed by brakes (11.2%).
Does the 2005 C1 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.3% in the 0-30k band to 36.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,254 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.