1990 Citroen C15 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 330 MOT tests, the 1990 Citroen C15 recorded a 67.3% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 21.9% of the time, so this is 10.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 27.3% of tests against 16.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 62 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 30.3% in the 60-90k band and 35.3% in the 150k+ band, a 5.0-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 33.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 27.3% | 90 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.1% | 53 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.4% | 51 |
| 4 | Suspension | 15.4% | 51 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.9% | 26 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.9% | 13 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 62 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 59 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 55 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 40 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 27 |
| 6 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 23 |
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 | 33.0% | 109 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.0% | 76 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.1% | 73 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 19.7% | 65 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.8% | 52 |
| 6 | Tyres | 10.9% | 36 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 76 | 30.3% |
| 90-120k | 112 | 32.1% |
| 120-150k | 87 | 34.5% |
| 150k+ | 34 | 35.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 79 | 34.2% |
| 2022 | 74 | 31.1% |
| 2023 | 69 | 30.4% |
| 2024 | 60 | 33.3% |
| 2025 | 48 | 35.4% |
What to check before buying a 1990 C15
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 27.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (27.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (16.1% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Brakes (15.4% 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 1990 Citroen C15s pass their MOT?
67.3% of the 330 1990 Citroen C15 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1990 Citroen C15?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 27.3% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (16.1%).
Does the 1990 C15 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 30.3% in the 60-90k band to 35.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 330 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.