2004 Citroen C15 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2004 Citroen C15 passed 65.9% of its 331 recorded MOT tests. That is 6.4 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 25.4% of all tests — 9.1 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and headlamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 76 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 28.8% in the 30-60k band and 38.0% in the 90-120k band, a 9.2-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: body, structure & corrosion was flagged on 26.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 33.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 36.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 25.4% | 84 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.3% | 54 |
| 3 | Suspension | 15.1% | 50 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.2% | 47 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.2% | 27 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 7.2% | 24 |
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 | 76 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 55 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 42 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 36 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 33 |
| 6 | Joints | 27 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.9% | 89 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.7% | 85 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.8% | 72 |
| 4 | Suspension | 20.5% | 68 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.6% | 55 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 12.1% | 40 |
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 | 52 | 28.8% |
| 60-90k | 127 | 31.5% |
| 90-120k | 92 | 38.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 93 | 33.3% |
| 2022 | 80 | 35.0% |
| 2023 | 64 | 29.7% |
| 2024 | 50 | 38.0% |
| 2025 | 44 | 36.4% |
What to check before buying a 2004 C15
On a 2004 C15, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 25.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (25.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (16.3% 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 (15.1% 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 2004 Citroen C15s pass their MOT?
65.9% of the 331 2004 Citroen C15 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Citroen C15?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 25.4% of tests, followed by brakes (16.3%).
Does the 2004 C15 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.8% in the 30-60k band to 38.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 331 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.