2014 Citroen C5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,419 MOT tests, the 2014 Citroen C5 recorded an 82.0% pass rate. Large family cars of a similar age fail at 18.7%, so the 2014 C5 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 12.3% of all tests — 5.3 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are joints, stop lamp and pins and bushes — joints alone was recorded 99 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 5.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 25.8% once past 150k — 5.2× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 23.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 14.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 174 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.0% | 99 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.1% | 87 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.0% | 71 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.7% | 52 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.0% | 29 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 99 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 67 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 66 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 65 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 46 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 39 |
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 | 23.1% | 328 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.5% | 263 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.3% | 259 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 10.6% | 150 |
| 5 | Other defects | 6.7% | 95 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.9% | 41 |
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 | 80 | 5.0% |
| 30-60k | 424 | 13.2% |
| 60-90k | 447 | 19.5% |
| 90-120k | 271 | 22.5% |
| 120-150k | 135 | 23.0% |
| 150k+ | 62 | 25.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 286 | 14.3% |
| 2022 | 293 | 16.0% |
| 2023 | 276 | 15.9% |
| 2024 | 292 | 21.9% |
| 2025 | 272 | 21.7% |
What to check before buying a 2014 C5
On a 2014 C5, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.0% 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 (6.1% 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 2014 Citroen C5s pass their MOT?
82.0% of the 1,419 2014 Citroen C5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Citroen C5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.3% of tests, followed by suspension (7.0%).
Does the 2014 C5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.0% in the 0-30k band to 25.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,419 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.