1993 Citroen C15 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1993 Citroen C15 passed 64.3% of its 586 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 23.4% of the time, so this is 12.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 25.3% of all tests — 6.3 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, component mounting prescribed areas and headlamp aim — service brake performance alone was recorded 102 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 34.0% in the 30-60k band and 46.0% in the 150k+ band, a 12.0-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 30.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 25.3% | 148 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.9% | 111 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.2% | 89 |
| 4 | Suspension | 13.8% | 81 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.2% | 54 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.1% | 24 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 102 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 88 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 84 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 66 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 48 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 46 |
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 | 30.2% | 177 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.0% | 170 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.7% | 133 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.0% | 117 |
| 5 | Other defects | 18.1% | 106 |
| 6 | Tyres | 14.7% | 86 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 50 | 34.0% |
| 60-90k | 156 | 32.7% |
| 90-120k | 186 | 36.6% |
| 120-150k | 127 | 36.2% |
| 150k+ | 50 | 46.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 125 | 33.6% |
| 2022 | 121 | 35.5% |
| 2023 | 123 | 34.2% |
| 2024 | 133 | 41.3% |
| 2025 | 84 | 32.1% |
What to check before buying a 1993 C15
On a 1993 C15, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 25.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (25.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (18.9% 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 (15.2% 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 1993 Citroen C15s pass their MOT?
64.3% of the 586 1993 Citroen C15 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 35.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1993 Citroen C15?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 25.3% of tests, followed by brakes (18.9%).
Does the 1993 C15 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 34.0% in the 30-60k band to 46.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 586 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.