1991 Citroen C15 — MOT failures & pass rate
320 MOT tests on the 1991 Citroen C15 are in this dataset, and 65.0% of them passed. That is 12.6 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 22.4%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 29.4% of all tests — 10.6 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, component mounting prescribed areas and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 78 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 41.5% versus 31.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 34.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 34.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 41.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 29.4% | 94 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.8% | 60 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.4% | 59 |
| 4 | Suspension | 16.3% | 52 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.1% | 26 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.4% | 14 |
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 | 78 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 67 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 46 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 38 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 32 |
| 6 | Side repeaters | 30 |
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 | 34.4% | 110 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.0% | 96 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 25.3% | 81 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.9% | 67 |
| 5 | Other defects | 19.4% | 62 |
| 6 | Tyres | 11.6% | 37 |
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 | 61 | 31.1% |
| 90-120k | 112 | 31.3% |
| 120-150k | 75 | 40.0% |
| 150k+ | 53 | 41.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 85 | 34.1% |
| 2022 | 70 | 30.0% |
| 2023 | 65 | 36.9% |
| 2024 | 61 | 36.1% |
| 2025 | 39 | 41.0% |
What to check before buying a 1991 C15
On a 1991 C15, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 29.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (29.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (18.8% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (18.4% 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+.
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 1991 Citroen C15s pass their MOT?
65.0% of the 320 1991 Citroen C15 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 35.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1991 Citroen C15?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 29.4% of tests, followed by brakes (18.8%).
Does the 1991 C15 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 31.1% in the 60-90k band to 41.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 320 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.