2006 Citroen C6 — MOT failures & pass rate
382 MOT tests on the 2006 Citroen C6 are in this dataset, and 79.1% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.3% fail rate), the 2006 C6 comes out 6.4pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 13.1% of all tests — 3.9 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, shock absorbers and headlamp aim — headlamp alone was recorded 27 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2006 C6 fails 20.0% of the time in the 30-60k band and 19.1% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.0 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 26.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 23.1% in 2021 to 17.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.1% | 50 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.2% | 35 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.4% | 32 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.2% | 16 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.6% | 10 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.4% | 9 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 27 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 12 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 11 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 11 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 11 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 10 |
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 | 26.4% | 101 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.9% | 95 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.6% | 75 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 12.0% | 46 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.9% | 34 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 6.5% | 25 |
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 | 30 | 20.0% |
| 60-90k | 114 | 23.7% |
| 90-120k | 92 | 17.4% |
| 120-150k | 100 | 23.0% |
| 150k+ | 42 | 19.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 321 | 21.5% |
| Petrol | 61 | 18.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 91 | 23.1% |
| 2022 | 90 | 26.7% |
| 2023 | 82 | 18.3% |
| 2024 | 62 | 16.1% |
| 2025 | 57 | 17.5% |
What to check before buying a 2006 C6
On a 2006 C6, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.2% 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.
- Brakes (8.4% 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.
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 C6s pass their MOT?
79.1% of the 382 2006 Citroen C6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Citroen C6?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.1% of tests, followed by suspension (9.2%).
Does the 2006 C6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.0% in the 30-60k band to 19.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 382 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.