1999 Citroen C15 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1999 Citroen C15 passed 70.2% of its 299 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 26.1% of the time, so this is 3.7pp 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 19.4% of all tests — 4.4 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 44 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 25.9% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 31.3% once past 90-120k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 28.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 26.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.4% | 58 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.0% | 45 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.7% | 38 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.0% | 24 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.7% | 20 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.3% | 19 |
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 | 44 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 34 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 28 |
| 4 | Service brake imbalance | 24 |
| 5 | Side repeaters | 23 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 17 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 28.4% | 85 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.4% | 82 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.1% | 54 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 15.7% | 47 |
| 5 | Tyres | 15.4% | 46 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.0% | 24 |
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 | 58 | 25.9% |
| 60-90k | 139 | 28.8% |
| 90-120k | 83 | 31.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 68 | 26.5% |
| 2022 | 58 | 31.0% |
| 2023 | 60 | 30.0% |
| 2024 | 58 | 32.8% |
| 2025 | 55 | 29.1% |
What to check before buying a 1999 C15
On a 1999 C15, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (15.0% 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 (12.7% 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 1999 Citroen C15s pass their MOT?
70.2% of the 299 1999 Citroen C15 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Citroen C15?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.4% of tests, followed by brakes (15.0%).
Does the 1999 C15 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.9% in the 30-60k band to 31.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 299 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.