2006 Citroen Relay — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,495 MOT tests, the 2006 Citroen Relay recorded a 68.0% pass rate. Vans of a similar age fail 29.5% of the time, so this is 2.4pp 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 (18.6%) and lighting & signalling (17.5%) 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, integral vehicle structure condition and service brake performance — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 1,270 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.4% in the 0-30k band and 36.7% in the 150k+ band, a 23.3-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 31.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.6% | 1,024 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 17.5% | 960 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.5% | 854 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.4% | 790 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.8% | 426 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.5% | 191 |
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 | 1,270 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 529 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 493 |
| 4 | Joints | 490 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 371 |
| 6 | Chassis condition | 350 |
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 | 31.0% | 1,704 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.9% | 1,535 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.6% | 1,295 |
| 4 | Tyres | 21.8% | 1,199 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 19.7% | 1,080 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 16.8% | 923 |
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 | 67 | 13.4% |
| 30-60k | 458 | 21.8% |
| 60-90k | 1,170 | 28.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,465 | 33.5% |
| 120-150k | 1,242 | 34.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,085 | 36.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,344 | 31.7% |
| 2022 | 1,253 | 32.7% |
| 2023 | 1,104 | 32.5% |
| 2024 | 953 | 31.4% |
| 2025 | 841 | 31.3% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Relay
On a 2006 Relay, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (18.6% 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 (17.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (15.5% 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 2006 Citroen Relays pass their MOT?
68.0% of the 5,495 2006 Citroen Relay MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Citroen Relay?
Suspension, recorded in 18.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (17.5%).
Does the 2006 Relay get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.4% in the 0-30k band to 36.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,495 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.