2001 Citroen Synergie — MOT failures & pass rate
483 MOT tests on the 2001 Citroen Synergie are in this dataset, and 66.5% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.2% fail rate), the 2001 Synergie comes out 6.3pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 20.9% of all tests — 5.0 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, prescribed areas and joints — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 124 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 30.3% versus 44.7%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 43.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 31.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 33.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 20.9% | 101 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 77 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.9% | 67 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.5% | 41 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.6% | 27 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.2% | 25 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 124 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 34 |
| 3 | Joints | 33 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 32 |
| 5 | Sub-frame mounting prescribed areas | 32 |
| 6 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 26 |
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 | 43.9% | 212 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.3% | 151 |
| 3 | Tyres | 30.9% | 149 |
| 4 | Other defects | 21.9% | 106 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.7% | 100 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 16.2% | 78 |
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 | 47 | 44.7% |
| 60-90k | 40 | 20.0% |
| 90-120k | 42 | 33.3% |
| 120-150k | 68 | 27.9% |
| 150k+ | 122 | 30.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 152 | 31.6% |
| 2022 | 133 | 38.4% |
| 2023 | 89 | 29.2% |
| 2024 | 64 | 34.4% |
| 2025 | 45 | 33.3% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Synergie
On a 2001 Synergie, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (20.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (15.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (13.9% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2001 Citroen Synergies pass their MOT?
66.5% of the 483 2001 Citroen Synergie MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Citroen Synergie?
Suspension, recorded in 20.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (15.9%).
Does the 2001 Synergie get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 44.7% in the 0-30k band to 30.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 483 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.