2010 Citroen Relay — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,993 MOT tests, the 2010 Citroen Relay recorded a 74.7% pass rate. Against vans of a similar age (27.5% fail rate), the 2010 Relay comes out 2.2pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.7% of tests against 11.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rbt (sp) and registration plate lamp(s) — headlamp aim alone was recorded 362 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.3% in the 0-30k band and 26.5% in the 150k+ band, a 19.2-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 26.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.7% | 886 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.7% | 584 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.4% | 520 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.5% | 324 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.4% | 318 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.6% | 281 |
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 | 362 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 311 |
| 3 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 283 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 265 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 240 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 215 |
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 | 26.8% | 1,337 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.1% | 1,055 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 19.5% | 974 |
| 4 | Tyres | 18.5% | 924 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.9% | 845 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.8% | 540 |
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 | 136 | 7.3% |
| 30-60k | 527 | 14.6% |
| 60-90k | 788 | 24.4% |
| 90-120k | 1,213 | 28.2% |
| 120-150k | 1,098 | 28.6% |
| 150k+ | 1,225 | 26.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,062 | 24.9% |
| 2022 | 1,058 | 24.3% |
| 2023 | 999 | 25.4% |
| 2024 | 964 | 26.6% |
| 2025 | 910 | 25.5% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Relay
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.7% 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 (10.4% 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 2010 Citroen Relays pass their MOT?
74.7% of the 4,993 2010 Citroen Relay MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Citroen Relay?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.7% of tests, followed by brakes (11.7%).
Does the 2010 Relay get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.3% in the 0-30k band to 26.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,993 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.