2008 Citroen C2 — MOT failures & pass rate
14,442 MOT tests on the 2008 Citroen C2 are in this dataset, and 71.0% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail 26.8% of the time, so this is 2.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (15.6%) and lighting & signalling (13.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are joints, coil spring and wipers — joints alone was recorded 977 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 18.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 30.4% once past 150k.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 28.9% of the time against 29.8% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 30.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.6% | 2,246 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.3% | 1,917 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.3% | 1,486 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.2% | 1,180 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.2% | 1,043 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.1% | 882 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 977 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 710 |
| 3 | Wipers | 683 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 651 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 610 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 588 |
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 | 30.3% | 4,373 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.6% | 4,131 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.3% | 3,647 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 18.1% | 2,609 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.1% | 2,467 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.2% | 2,197 |
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 | 434 | 18.9% |
| 30-60k | 3,092 | 24.5% |
| 60-90k | 5,870 | 29.6% |
| 90-120k | 3,682 | 32.4% |
| 120-150k | 1,076 | 30.6% |
| 150k+ | 280 | 30.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 12,128 | 28.9% |
| Diesel | 2,314 | 29.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,034 | 29.2% |
| 2022 | 3,414 | 28.6% |
| 2023 | 2,921 | 29.1% |
| 2024 | 2,307 | 29.2% |
| 2025 | 1,766 | 29.0% |
What to check before buying a 2008 C2
On a 2008 C2, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (15.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (13.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.3% 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 2008 Citroen C2s pass their MOT?
71.0% of the 14,442 2008 Citroen C2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Citroen C2?
Suspension, recorded in 15.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.3%).
Does the 2008 C2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.9% in the 0-30k band to 30.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,442 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.