2004 Citroen C8 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2004 Citroen C8 passed 67.9% of its 806 recorded MOT tests. MPVs of a similar age fail 30.1% of the time, so this is 2.0pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.1%) and suspension (16.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), component mounting prescribed areas and parking brake performance — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 81 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 25.0% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 32.5% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 33.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 35.4% in 2021 to 25.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 130 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.0% | 129 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.9% | 128 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.2% | 106 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.7% | 70 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.1% | 57 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 81 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 49 |
| 3 | Parking brake performance | 48 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 47 |
| 5 | Joints | 47 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 40 |
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 | 33.9% | 273 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.8% | 272 |
| 3 | Tyres | 31.0% | 250 |
| 4 | Other defects | 23.1% | 186 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 21.8% | 176 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.7% | 151 |
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 | 32 | 25.0% |
| 60-90k | 164 | 28.7% |
| 90-120k | 253 | 33.2% |
| 120-150k | 216 | 35.2% |
| 150k+ | 126 | 32.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 537 | 31.7% |
| Petrol | 269 | 33.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 314 | 35.4% |
| 2022 | 202 | 30.7% |
| 2023 | 132 | 29.5% |
| 2024 | 94 | 33.0% |
| 2025 | 64 | 25.0% |
What to check before buying a 2004 C8
On a 2004 C8, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.0% 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.
- Brakes (15.9% 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 2004 Citroen C8s pass their MOT?
67.9% of the 806 2004 Citroen C8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Citroen C8?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.1% of tests, followed by suspension (16.0%).
Does the 2004 C8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.0% in the 30-60k band to 32.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 806 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.