2008 Citroen C8 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 Citroen C8 passed 65.5% of its 1,597 recorded MOT tests. That is 6.5 percentage points worse than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 28.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (19.7%) and brakes (18.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), position lamp and joints — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 213 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 35.0% versus 28.7%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 32.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.7% | 314 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.5% | 295 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.7% | 266 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.9% | 222 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.5% | 103 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.5% | 87 |
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) | 213 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 162 |
| 3 | Joints | 157 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 142 |
| 5 | Parking brake performance | 105 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 94 |
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 | 32.3% | 515 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.4% | 422 |
| 3 | Suspension | 25.8% | 412 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.2% | 355 |
| 5 | Other defects | 18.7% | 298 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 18.3% | 292 |
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 | 129 | 28.7% |
| 60-90k | 275 | 31.3% |
| 90-120k | 481 | 36.8% |
| 120-150k | 462 | 35.9% |
| 150k+ | 240 | 35.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,397 | 34.7% |
| Petrol | 200 | 33.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 467 | 34.3% |
| 2022 | 392 | 33.2% |
| 2023 | 310 | 35.8% |
| 2024 | 240 | 34.6% |
| 2025 | 188 | 35.6% |
What to check before buying a 2008 C8
On a 2008 C8, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (18.5% 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.
- Suspension (16.7% 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.
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 2008 Citroen C8s pass their MOT?
65.5% of the 1,597 2008 Citroen C8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Citroen C8?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.7% of tests, followed by brakes (18.5%).
Does the 2008 C8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.7% in the 30-60k band to 35.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,597 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.