2006 Citroen C2 — MOT failures & pass rate
14,992 MOT tests on the 2006 Citroen C2 are in this dataset, and 70.5% of them passed. Against superminis of a similar age (28.2% fail rate), the 2006 C2 comes out 1.3pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.3%) and suspension (15.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and wipers — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 999 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.1% in the 0-30k band and 34.9% in the 150k+ band, a 23.8-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.0pp more often than petrol ones (32.1% vs 29.1%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 33.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.3% | 2,441 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.7% | 2,353 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.4% | 1,411 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.4% | 1,405 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.7% | 1,008 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.9% | 892 |
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 | 999 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 800 |
| 3 | Wipers | 755 |
| 4 | Individual direction indicators | 739 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 726 |
| 6 | Joints | 660 |
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 | 33.9% | 5,078 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.0% | 4,349 |
| 3 | Brakes | 24.1% | 3,611 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 2,695 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.5% | 2,473 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 15.7% | 2,346 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 459 | 11.1% |
| 30-60k | 2,824 | 22.7% |
| 60-90k | 5,619 | 30.0% |
| 90-120k | 4,188 | 33.2% |
| 120-150k | 1,446 | 34.6% |
| 150k+ | 436 | 34.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 12,822 | 29.1% |
| Diesel | 2,170 | 32.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,633 | 29.5% |
| 2022 | 3,737 | 30.3% |
| 2023 | 2,890 | 29.1% |
| 2024 | 2,189 | 29.5% |
| 2025 | 1,543 | 28.6% |
What to check before buying a 2006 C2
On a 2006 C2, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.7% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (9.4% 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 2006 Citroen C2s pass their MOT?
70.5% of the 14,992 2006 Citroen C2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Citroen C2?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.3% of tests, followed by suspension (15.7%).
Does the 2006 C2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.1% in the 0-30k band to 34.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,992 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.