2008 Citroen Relay — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,729 MOT tests, the 2008 Citroen Relay recorded a 72.1% pass rate. Vans of a similar age fail at 28.8%, so the 2008 Relay sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 19.0% of all tests — 6.3 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rbt (sp) and component mounting prescribed areas — headlamp aim alone was recorded 546 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 31.5% versus 20.7%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 29.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 26.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.0% | 1,088 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.7% | 729 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.7% | 669 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.6% | 495 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.4% | 366 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.5% | 314 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 546 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 444 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 433 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 306 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 265 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 241 |
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 | 29.6% | 1,696 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.3% | 1,279 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 22.2% | 1,272 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.7% | 1,130 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 19.2% | 1,101 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.0% | 1,087 |
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 | 20.7% |
| 30-60k | 530 | 14.5% |
| 60-90k | 885 | 25.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,412 | 28.4% |
| 120-150k | 1,170 | 30.3% |
| 150k+ | 1,668 | 31.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,196 | 26.1% |
| 2022 | 1,235 | 28.4% |
| 2023 | 1,176 | 28.0% |
| 2024 | 1,095 | 27.7% |
| 2025 | 1,027 | 29.4% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Relay
On a 2008 Relay, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.7% 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.
- Suspension (11.7% 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.
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 2008 Citroen Relays pass their MOT?
72.1% of the 5,729 2008 Citroen Relay MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Citroen Relay?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.0% of tests, followed by brakes (12.7%).
Does the 2008 Relay get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.7% in the 0-30k band to 31.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,729 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.