2001 Citroen C5 — MOT failures & pass rate
845 MOT tests on the 2001 Citroen C5 are in this dataset, and 70.3% of them passed. That is 1.6 percentage points worse than large family cars of a similar age, which fail at 28.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.6%) and brakes (13.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, joints and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 53 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 25.3% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 31.7% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 30.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 132 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.5% | 114 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.4% | 113 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.8% | 74 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.8% | 57 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.0% | 51 |
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 | 53 |
| 2 | Joints | 48 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 39 |
| 4 | Wipers | 37 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 34 |
| 6 | Washers | 33 |
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 | 30.9% | 261 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.5% | 249 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.2% | 230 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.2% | 179 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 136 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.0% | 127 |
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 | 99 | 25.3% |
| 60-90k | 174 | 29.3% |
| 90-120k | 184 | 28.8% |
| 120-150k | 124 | 30.6% |
| 150k+ | 243 | 31.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 549 | 29.9% |
| Petrol | 296 | 29.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 272 | 29.4% |
| 2022 | 221 | 32.6% |
| 2023 | 151 | 25.8% |
| 2024 | 124 | 30.6% |
| 2025 | 77 | 28.6% |
What to check before buying a 2001 C5
On a 2001 C5, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.5% 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 (13.4% 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 2001 Citroen C5s pass their MOT?
70.3% of the 845 2001 Citroen C5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Citroen C5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.6% of tests, followed by brakes (13.5%).
Does the 2001 C5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.3% in the 30-60k band to 31.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 845 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.