2013 Citroen C5 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2013 Citroen C5 passed 79.1% of its 2,253 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as large family cars of a similar age (20.2% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.9% of tests against 7.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are joints, stop lamp and headlamp aim — joints alone was recorded 170 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.9% in the 0-30k band and 28.6% in the 150k+ band, a 16.8-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 25.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 16.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.9% | 312 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.6% | 172 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.8% | 154 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.9% | 133 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.2% | 94 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.8% | 63 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 170 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 158 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 124 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 111 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 80 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 72 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 25.9% | 583 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.0% | 519 |
| 3 | Suspension | 21.0% | 473 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 10.1% | 228 |
| 5 | Other defects | 6.7% | 151 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.8% | 108 |
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 | 59 | 11.9% |
| 30-60k | 498 | 16.7% |
| 60-90k | 623 | 19.1% |
| 90-120k | 572 | 22.6% |
| 120-150k | 302 | 24.8% |
| 150k+ | 199 | 28.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 459 | 16.3% |
| 2022 | 465 | 20.2% |
| 2023 | 465 | 20.6% |
| 2024 | 452 | 23.4% |
| 2025 | 412 | 24.0% |
What to check before buying a 2013 C5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.6% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (6.8% 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 2013 Citroen C5s pass their MOT?
79.1% of the 2,253 2013 Citroen C5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Citroen C5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.9% of tests, followed by suspension (7.6%).
Does the 2013 C5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.9% in the 0-30k band to 28.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,253 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.