2000 Citroen C15 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 417 MOT tests, the 2000 Citroen C15 recorded a 63.5% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (26.6% fail rate), the 2000 C15 comes out 9.8pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 26.6% of all tests — 8.6 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, service brake performance and component mounting prescribed areas — headlamp aim alone was recorded 58 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 30.8% in the 30-60k band and 37.5% in the 150k+ band, a 6.7-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 27.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 26.6% | 111 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.0% | 75 |
| 3 | Brakes | 17.0% | 71 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.5% | 52 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.9% | 37 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.5% | 27 |
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 | 58 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 57 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 55 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 43 |
| 5 | Side repeaters | 37 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 36 |
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 | 27.6% | 115 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.1% | 113 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.9% | 83 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.3% | 68 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.0% | 50 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.6% | 36 |
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 | 91 | 30.8% |
| 60-90k | 169 | 39.6% |
| 90-120k | 52 | 26.9% |
| 120-150k | 66 | 40.9% |
| 150k+ | 32 | 37.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 102 | 36.3% |
| 2022 | 93 | 37.6% |
| 2023 | 76 | 36.8% |
| 2024 | 74 | 33.8% |
| 2025 | 72 | 37.5% |
What to check before buying a 2000 C15
On a 2000 C15, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 26.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (26.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (18.0% 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.
- Brakes (17.0% 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.
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 2000 Citroen C15s pass their MOT?
63.5% of the 417 2000 Citroen C15 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 36.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Citroen C15?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 26.6% of tests, followed by suspension (18.0%).
Does the 2000 C15 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 30.8% in the 30-60k band to 37.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 417 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.