2007 Citroen Relay — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2007 Citroen Relay passed 68.7% of its 6,590 recorded MOT tests. Vans of a similar age fail 29.2% of the time, so this is 2.1pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.3% of tests against 15.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and rbt (sp) — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 861 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 21.7% in the 0-30k band and 32.8% in the 150k+ band, a 11.1-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 30.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 30.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 32.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.3% | 1,404 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.3% | 1,008 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.8% | 973 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.0% | 726 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.7% | 510 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.2% | 345 |
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 | 861 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 640 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 560 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 436 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 417 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 384 |
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 | 30.8% | 2,028 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.3% | 1,602 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 22.0% | 1,448 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.4% | 1,410 |
| 5 | Tyres | 20.4% | 1,346 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.7% | 1,167 |
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 | 138 | 21.7% |
| 30-60k | 458 | 21.6% |
| 60-90k | 994 | 27.5% |
| 90-120k | 1,634 | 33.2% |
| 120-150k | 1,647 | 33.5% |
| 150k+ | 1,701 | 32.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,555 | 30.5% |
| 2022 | 1,438 | 31.3% |
| 2023 | 1,299 | 30.9% |
| 2024 | 1,196 | 31.6% |
| 2025 | 1,102 | 32.8% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Relay
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 21.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (21.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.3% 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 (14.8% 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 2007 Citroen Relays pass their MOT?
68.7% of the 6,590 2007 Citroen Relay MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Citroen Relay?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.3% of tests, followed by suspension (15.3%).
Does the 2007 Relay get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.7% in the 0-30k band to 32.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,590 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.