2020 Citroen Relay — MOT failures & pass rate
251 MOT tests on the 2020 Citroen Relay are in this dataset, and 80.5% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail 13.5% of the time, so this is 6.0pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 10.8% of all tests — 4.0 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 19 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 13.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 13.2% of tests failed in 2023 against 26.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.8% | 27 |
| 2 | Visibility | 6.8% | 17 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.6% | 14 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.4% | 11 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.4% | 11 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.4% | 6 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 19 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 19 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 14 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 7 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 6 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 6 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 13.2% | 33 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.8% | 27 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.2% | 18 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 4.8% | 12 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.8% | 12 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.0% | 10 |
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 | 131 | 15.3% |
| 30-60k | 85 | 23.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 53 | 13.2% |
| 2024 | 78 | 17.9% |
| 2025 | 84 | 26.2% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Relay
On a 2020 Relay, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (6.8% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Brakes (5.6% 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.
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 2020 Citroen Relays pass their MOT?
80.5% of the 251 2020 Citroen Relay MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Citroen Relay?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.8% of tests, followed by visibility (6.8%).
Does the 2020 Relay get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.3% in the 0-30k band to 23.5% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 251 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.