2008 Citroen C5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 9,977 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Citroen C5, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 71.6% was below the average for cars of a similar age (75.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 29.3% in the 150k+ group versus 14.0% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.5% | 1,647 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.7% | 1,267 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.6% | 953 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.7% | 772 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.5% | 646 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.1% | 612 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 1,065 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 799 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 681 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 536 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 493 |
| 6 | Washers | 452 |
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 | 29.1% | 2,900 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.0% | 2,897 |
| 3 | Brakes | 27.5% | 2,739 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 17.3% | 1,731 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 1,245 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.9% | 1,086 |
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 | 57 | 14.0% |
| 30-60k | 525 | 18.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,716 | 26.3% |
| 90-120k | 3,229 | 28.7% |
| 120-150k | 2,574 | 31.0% |
| 150k+ | 1,871 | 29.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 9,263 | 28.6% |
| Petrol | 714 | 26.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,920 | 28.0% |
| 2022 | 2,459 | 27.7% |
| 2023 | 1,996 | 29.1% |
| 2024 | 1,476 | 28.9% |
| 2025 | 1,126 | 29.2% |
What to check before buying a 2008 C5
Before buying a 2008 Citroen C5, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 16.5% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (16.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.7% 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 (9.6% 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 C5s pass their MOT?
71.6% of the 9,977 2008 Citroen C5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Citroen C5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.5% of tests, followed by suspension (12.7%).
Does the 2008 C5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.0% in the 0-30k band to 29.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,977 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.