2006 Citroen C5 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2006 Citroen C5 passed 72.1% of its 3,843 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as large family cars of a similar age (27.3% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.9% of tests against 13.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, stop lamp and rbt (sp) — position lamp alone was recorded 621 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 21.1% in the 30-60k band and 31.5% in the 150k+ band, a 10.5-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 31.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.6% in 2021 to 24.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.9% | 804 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.0% | 500 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.1% | 466 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.5% | 211 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.1% | 194 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.8% | 145 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 621 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 258 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 186 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 160 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 157 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 154 |
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 | 31.5% | 1,210 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.1% | 1,119 |
| 3 | Suspension | 26.8% | 1,029 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 15.8% | 606 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 520 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.8% | 491 |
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 | 247 | 21.1% |
| 60-90k | 802 | 23.4% |
| 90-120k | 1,120 | 28.4% |
| 120-150k | 895 | 30.3% |
| 150k+ | 749 | 31.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,366 | 28.3% |
| Petrol | 477 | 24.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,222 | 28.6% |
| 2022 | 964 | 28.9% |
| 2023 | 719 | 27.0% |
| 2024 | 541 | 28.1% |
| 2025 | 397 | 24.9% |
What to check before buying a 2006 C5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 20.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (20.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.0% 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 (12.1% 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 2006 Citroen C5s pass their MOT?
72.1% of the 3,843 2006 Citroen C5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Citroen C5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.9% of tests, followed by brakes (13.0%).
Does the 2006 C5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.1% in the 30-60k band to 31.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,843 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.