2005 Citroen C8 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,413 MOT tests on the 2005 Citroen C8 are in this dataset, and 66.7% of them passed. That is 3.3 percentage points worse than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 30.0%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (17.8%) and lighting & signalling (16.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, rbt (sp) and washers — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 139 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 21.3% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 33.3% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 30.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 17.8% | 251 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 232 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.8% | 223 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.6% | 164 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.9% | 126 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.5% | 92 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 139 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 137 |
| 3 | Washers | 92 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 90 |
| 5 | Parking brake performance | 85 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 84 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 30.7% | 434 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.6% | 432 |
| 3 | Suspension | 27.9% | 394 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.9% | 296 |
| 5 | Other defects | 18.1% | 255 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.4% | 232 |
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 | 61 | 21.3% |
| 60-90k | 238 | 31.5% |
| 90-120k | 462 | 31.8% |
| 120-150k | 411 | 37.5% |
| 150k+ | 228 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,028 | 33.9% |
| Petrol | 385 | 31.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 504 | 33.7% |
| 2022 | 368 | 33.1% |
| 2023 | 249 | 32.9% |
| 2024 | 170 | 32.9% |
| 2025 | 122 | 32.8% |
What to check before buying a 2005 C8
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 17.8% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (17.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (16.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (15.8% 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 2005 Citroen C8s pass their MOT?
66.7% of the 1,413 2005 Citroen C8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Citroen C8?
Suspension, recorded in 17.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (16.4%).
Does the 2005 C8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.3% in the 30-60k band to 33.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,413 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.