1999 Citroen Relay — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1999 Citroen Relay passed 71.5% of its 291 recorded MOT tests. Against vans of a similar age (29.6% fail rate), the 1999 Relay comes out 1.1pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.9% of all tests — 5.1 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, integral vehicle structure condition and chassis condition — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 86 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 29.8% in the 30-60k band and 16.1% in the 150k+ band, a 13.7-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 40.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 55 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.8% | 40 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.3% | 33 |
| 4 | Visibility | 9.3% | 27 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.3% | 27 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.1% | 9 |
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 | 86 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 39 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 26 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 20 |
| 5 | Washers | 16 |
| 6 | Horn | 15 |
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 | 40.6% | 118 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.0% | 99 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.7% | 69 |
| 4 | Tyres | 17.9% | 52 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 40 |
| 6 | Steering | 8.6% | 25 |
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 | 47 | 29.8% |
| 60-90k | 91 | 28.6% |
| 90-120k | 108 | 32.4% |
| 150k+ | 31 | 16.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 226 | 27.9% |
| Petrol | 65 | 30.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 71 | 29.6% |
| 2022 | 65 | 32.3% |
| 2023 | 57 | 22.8% |
| 2024 | 52 | 28.8% |
| 2025 | 46 | 28.3% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Relay
On a 1999 Relay, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.8% 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.
- Brakes (11.3% 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 1999 Citroen Relays pass their MOT?
71.5% of the 291 1999 Citroen Relay MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Citroen Relay?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.9% of tests, followed by suspension (13.8%).
Does the 1999 Relay get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.8% in the 30-60k band to 16.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 291 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.