2009 Citroen C8 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,113 MOT tests on the 2009 Citroen C8 are in this dataset, and 66.7% of them passed. MPVs of a similar age fail 26.9% of the time, so this is 6.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (19.1%) and brakes (16.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), stop lamp and joints — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 134 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 34.1% versus 29.1%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 30.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.1% | 212 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.8% | 187 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.2% | 180 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.1% | 157 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.2% | 58 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.5% | 50 |
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) | 134 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 112 |
| 3 | Joints | 106 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 105 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 66 |
| 6 | Parking brake performance | 59 |
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 | 30.5% | 339 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.5% | 328 |
| 3 | Suspension | 20.2% | 225 |
| 4 | Other defects | 17.6% | 196 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.2% | 191 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 139 |
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 | 79 | 29.1% |
| 60-90k | 264 | 33.0% |
| 90-120k | 368 | 31.8% |
| 120-150k | 216 | 37.5% |
| 150k+ | 176 | 34.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 299 | 33.4% |
| 2022 | 255 | 34.1% |
| 2023 | 223 | 33.2% |
| 2024 | 187 | 33.2% |
| 2025 | 149 | 32.2% |
What to check before buying a 2009 C8
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (16.8% 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.
- Suspension (16.2% 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.
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 2009 Citroen C8s pass their MOT?
66.7% of the 1,113 2009 Citroen C8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Citroen C8?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.1% of tests, followed by brakes (16.8%).
Does the 2009 C8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.1% in the 30-60k band to 34.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,113 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.