1998 Citroen C15 — MOT failures & pass rate
348 MOT tests on the 1998 Citroen C15 are in this dataset, and 66.1% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (25.6% fail rate), the 1998 C15 comes out 8.3pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 23.0% of tests against 17.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, service brake performance and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 59 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 30.3% in the 30-60k band and 38.6% in the 90-120k band, a 8.3-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 27.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 30.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 34.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 23.0% | 80 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.5% | 61 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.2% | 46 |
| 4 | Suspension | 11.5% | 40 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.9% | 24 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.6% | 23 |
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 | 59 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 44 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 41 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 36 |
| 5 | Side repeaters | 29 |
| 6 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 26 |
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 | 27.0% | 94 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.2% | 91 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 25.6% | 89 |
| 4 | Tyres | 17.8% | 62 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.7% | 58 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 12.6% | 44 |
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 | 66 | 30.3% |
| 60-90k | 149 | 34.2% |
| 90-120k | 101 | 38.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 76 | 30.3% |
| 2022 | 82 | 37.8% |
| 2023 | 68 | 32.4% |
| 2024 | 69 | 34.8% |
| 2025 | 53 | 34.0% |
What to check before buying a 1998 C15
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 23.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (23.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (17.5% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (13.2% 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 1998 Citroen C15s pass their MOT?
66.1% of the 348 1998 Citroen C15 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Citroen C15?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 23.0% of tests, followed by brakes (17.5%).
Does the 1998 C15 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 30.3% in the 30-60k band to 38.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 348 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.