2003 Citroen Relay — MOT failures & pass rate
1,943 MOT tests on the 2003 Citroen Relay are in this dataset, and 67.2% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail 30.0% of the time, so this is 2.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 21.1% of tests against 15.4% for the next-worst category.
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 641 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 23.6% in the 0-30k band and 28.2% in the 150k+ band, a 4.6-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 33.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 21.1% | 410 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 15.4% | 300 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.6% | 284 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.3% | 277 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.3% | 141 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.5% | 68 |
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 | 641 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 234 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 227 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 156 |
| 5 | Sub-frame mounting prescribed areas | 120 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 118 |
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 | 33.2% | 645 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.6% | 595 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 24.4% | 475 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.0% | 370 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 18.0% | 349 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.2% | 296 |
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 | 72 | 23.6% |
| 30-60k | 245 | 29.4% |
| 60-90k | 565 | 33.8% |
| 90-120k | 547 | 34.9% |
| 120-150k | 274 | 35.4% |
| 150k+ | 234 | 28.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 506 | 33.2% |
| 2022 | 424 | 32.3% |
| 2023 | 386 | 31.6% |
| 2024 | 334 | 33.2% |
| 2025 | 293 | 34.1% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Relay
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 21.1% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (21.1% 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 (15.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.6% 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 2003 Citroen Relays pass their MOT?
67.2% of the 1,943 2003 Citroen Relay MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Citroen Relay?
Suspension, recorded in 21.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (15.4%).
Does the 2003 Relay get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.6% in the 0-30k band to 28.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,943 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.