2004 Citroen Relay — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2004 Citroen Relay passed 66.0% of its 2,191 recorded MOT tests. Vans of a similar age fail 29.9% of the time, so this is 4.1pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 19.6% of all tests — 3.3 points clear of lighting & signalling, 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 704 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.6% in the 0-30k band and 39.8% in the 150k+ band, a 22.1-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 30.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 19.6% | 429 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 16.3% | 356 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.6% | 342 |
| 4 | Brakes | 15.5% | 339 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.5% | 165 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.2% | 71 |
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 | 704 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 316 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 255 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 185 |
| 5 | Joints | 162 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 129 |
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 | 30.9% | 676 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.3% | 663 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.8% | 522 |
| 4 | Tyres | 20.2% | 443 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.6% | 320 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.9% | 304 |
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 | 68 | 17.6% |
| 30-60k | 330 | 25.1% |
| 60-90k | 591 | 33.3% |
| 90-120k | 615 | 36.8% |
| 120-150k | 308 | 37.3% |
| 150k+ | 274 | 39.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 596 | 33.2% |
| 2022 | 484 | 35.1% |
| 2023 | 441 | 35.1% |
| 2024 | 340 | 32.1% |
| 2025 | 330 | 34.2% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Relay
On a 2004 Relay, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (19.6% 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 (16.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (15.6% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2004 Citroen Relays pass their MOT?
66.0% of the 2,191 2004 Citroen Relay MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Citroen Relay?
Suspension, recorded in 19.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (16.3%).
Does the 2004 Relay get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.6% in the 0-30k band to 39.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,191 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.