2002 Citroen Relay — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Citroen Relay passed 67.9% of its 1,167 recorded MOT tests. Vans of a similar age fail 29.9% of the time, so this is 2.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (18.0%) and lighting & signalling (17.1%) 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, chassis condition and integral vehicle structure condition — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 393 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 29.3% in the 0-30k band and 34.5% in the 150k+ band, a 5.2-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 30.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.3% in 2021 to 29.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.0% | 210 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 17.1% | 199 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.6% | 182 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.5% | 158 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.7% | 102 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.3% | 39 |
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 | 393 |
| 2 | Chassis condition | 166 |
| 3 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 150 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 115 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 67 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 64 |
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 | 30.2% | 352 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.9% | 349 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 25.1% | 293 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 19.2% | 224 |
| 5 | Tyres | 17.6% | 205 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.3% | 179 |
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 | 58 | 29.3% |
| 30-60k | 174 | 28.7% |
| 60-90k | 291 | 30.9% |
| 90-120k | 336 | 33.6% |
| 120-150k | 198 | 33.8% |
| 150k+ | 110 | 34.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 284 | 31.3% |
| 2022 | 251 | 30.3% |
| 2023 | 237 | 37.1% |
| 2024 | 211 | 32.2% |
| 2025 | 184 | 29.3% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Relay
On a 2002 Relay, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (18.0% 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 (17.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (15.6% 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 2002 Citroen Relays pass their MOT?
67.9% of the 1,167 2002 Citroen Relay MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Citroen Relay?
Suspension, recorded in 18.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (17.1%).
Does the 2002 Relay get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.3% in the 0-30k band to 34.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,167 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.