2014 Citroen Relay — MOT failures & pass rate
6,407 MOT tests on the 2014 Citroen Relay are in this dataset, and 76.9% of them passed. That is effectively the same as vans of a similar age (23.2% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.8%) and brakes (11.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), headlamp aim and service brake performance — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 431 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.3% in the 0-30k band and 27.8% in the 150k+ band, a 17.5-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 23.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 20.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 821 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.6% | 743 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.7% | 557 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.4% | 282 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.9% | 250 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.0% | 193 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 431 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 341 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 230 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 228 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 225 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 212 |
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 | 23.5% | 1,509 |
| 2 | Tyres | 19.1% | 1,224 |
| 3 | Brakes | 17.9% | 1,145 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.3% | 722 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.4% | 603 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.7% | 557 |
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 | 388 | 10.3% |
| 30-60k | 970 | 15.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,592 | 23.2% |
| 90-120k | 1,382 | 25.0% |
| 120-150k | 1,019 | 27.6% |
| 150k+ | 1,049 | 27.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,044 | 20.3% |
| 2022 | 1,291 | 22.8% |
| 2023 | 1,266 | 23.4% |
| 2024 | 1,403 | 23.5% |
| 2025 | 1,403 | 24.7% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Relay
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.6% 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 2014 Citroen Relays pass their MOT?
76.9% of the 6,407 2014 Citroen Relay MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Citroen Relay?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.8% of tests, followed by brakes (11.6%).
Does the 2014 Relay get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.3% in the 0-30k band to 27.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,407 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.