1995 Citroen C15 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 573 MOT tests, the 1995 Citroen C15 recorded a 66.1% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 24.3% of the time, so this is 9.6pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 25.0% of all tests — 9.4 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, service brake performance and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 104 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 46.0% versus 28.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 29.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 25.0% | 143 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.5% | 89 |
| 3 | Suspension | 15.5% | 89 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.1% | 75 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.3% | 53 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.8% | 33 |
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 | 104 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 84 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 82 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 60 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 50 |
| 6 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 45 |
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 | 29.8% | 171 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.4% | 163 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 28.3% | 162 |
| 4 | Tyres | 17.1% | 98 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 17.1% | 98 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.6% | 78 |
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 | 57 | 28.1% |
| 60-90k | 196 | 31.1% |
| 90-120k | 197 | 32.0% |
| 120-150k | 87 | 46.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 123 | 31.7% |
| 2022 | 142 | 35.2% |
| 2023 | 123 | 37.4% |
| 2024 | 94 | 30.9% |
| 2025 | 91 | 33.0% |
What to check before buying a 1995 C15
On a 1995 C15, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 25.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (25.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (15.5% 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 (15.5% 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 1995 Citroen C15s pass their MOT?
66.1% of the 573 1995 Citroen C15 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1995 Citroen C15?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 25.0% of tests, followed by brakes (15.5%).
Does the 1995 C15 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.1% in the 30-60k band to 46.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 573 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.