2008 Citroen Nemo — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 Citroen Nemo passed 70.2% of its 3,904 recorded MOT tests. Vans of a similar age fail 28.7% of the time, so this is 1.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (19.1%) and lighting & signalling (18.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and shock absorbers — position lamp alone was recorded 306 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2008 Nemo fails 32.9% of the time in the 0-30k band and 30.8% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.1 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 38.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 29.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 19.1% | 745 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 18.1% | 705 |
| 3 | Visibility | 10.2% | 398 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.0% | 352 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.9% | 310 |
| 6 | Brakes | 6.7% | 260 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 306 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 304 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 280 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 259 |
| 5 | Washers | 244 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 232 |
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 | 38.1% | 1,487 |
| 2 | Tyres | 33.6% | 1,313 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 21.7% | 848 |
| 4 | Brakes | 20.6% | 805 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 19.9% | 777 |
| 6 | Visibility | 15.6% | 610 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 222 | 32.9% |
| 30-60k | 185 | 22.7% |
| 60-90k | 419 | 25.1% |
| 90-120k | 726 | 29.3% |
| 120-150k | 893 | 31.4% |
| 150k+ | 1,023 | 30.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,703 | 30.1% |
| Petrol | 201 | 25.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,014 | 29.1% |
| 2022 | 933 | 29.1% |
| 2023 | 817 | 30.7% |
| 2024 | 640 | 30.3% |
| 2025 | 500 | 30.6% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Nemo
On a 2008 Nemo, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (19.1% 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 (18.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (10.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 Nemos pass their MOT?
70.2% of the 3,904 2008 Citroen Nemo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Citroen Nemo?
Suspension, recorded in 19.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (18.1%).
Does the 2008 Nemo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 32.9% in the 0-30k band to 30.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,904 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.