2013 Citroen Relay — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,841 MOT tests, the 2013 Citroen Relay recorded a 77.6% pass rate. That is 2.1 percentage points better than vans of a similar age, which fail at 24.5%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.7% 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 pins and bushes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 376 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.8% in the 0-30k band and 26.5% in the 150k+ band, a 17.7-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 26.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 19.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.7% | 809 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.4% | 505 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.7% | 421 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.8% | 233 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.2% | 157 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.1% | 149 |
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 | 376 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 291 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 219 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 195 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 188 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 188 |
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 | 26.2% | 1,269 |
| 2 | Tyres | 20.6% | 996 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.3% | 932 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 652 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.6% | 464 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.2% | 445 |
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 | 194 | 8.8% |
| 30-60k | 709 | 14.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,183 | 22.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,192 | 24.1% |
| 120-150k | 842 | 25.8% |
| 150k+ | 706 | 26.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 896 | 19.8% |
| 2022 | 973 | 21.4% |
| 2023 | 952 | 20.8% |
| 2024 | 1,035 | 24.5% |
| 2025 | 985 | 24.9% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Relay
On a 2013 Relay, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.4% 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 (8.7% 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 2013 Citroen Relays pass their MOT?
77.6% of the 4,841 2013 Citroen Relay MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Citroen Relay?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.7% of tests, followed by brakes (10.4%).
Does the 2013 Relay get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.8% in the 0-30k band to 26.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,841 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.