2003 Citroen C5 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2003 Citroen C5 passed 71.8% of its 2,998 recorded MOT tests. Large family cars of a similar age fail at 28.1%, so the 2003 C5 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.0% of all tests — 3.4 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 196 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 30.3% versus 22.8%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 33.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.0% | 511 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.7% | 410 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.9% | 356 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 211 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.7% | 200 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.8% | 144 |
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 | 196 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 152 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 138 |
| 4 | Parking brake performance | 131 |
| 5 | Wipers | 131 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 129 |
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 | 33.5% | 1,005 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.3% | 849 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.5% | 824 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 19.8% | 594 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.6% | 497 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.7% | 472 |
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 | 219 | 22.8% |
| 60-90k | 612 | 27.9% |
| 90-120k | 689 | 27.1% |
| 120-150k | 657 | 29.1% |
| 150k+ | 799 | 30.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,506 | 28.0% |
| Petrol | 492 | 29.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,040 | 28.6% |
| 2022 | 751 | 28.6% |
| 2023 | 542 | 26.8% |
| 2024 | 374 | 27.8% |
| 2025 | 291 | 28.5% |
What to check before buying a 2003 C5
On a 2003 C5, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.7% 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 (11.9% 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 2003 Citroen C5s pass their MOT?
71.8% of the 2,998 2003 Citroen C5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Citroen C5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.0% of tests, followed by brakes (13.7%).
Does the 2003 C5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.8% in the 30-60k band to 30.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,998 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.