2003 · 21 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2003 Citroen C5 MOT pass rate and common faults

286 MOT tests in 2024. 58.4% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

102About average
Passed first time58.4%
Failed or needed repairs41.6%
Typical mileage at test112,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 286 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side5.6%
  2. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect5.6%
  3. Service brake performance: excessively binding5.6%
  4. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.9%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.5%
  6. Position lamp: not working3.8%
  7. Stop lamp: not working3.1%
  8. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid2.4%
  9. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.4%
  10. Suspension unit: leaking2.4%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics34.6%
  2. Brakes29.7%
  3. Suspension19.6%
  4. Body & chassis13.3%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.4%
  6. Tyres5.6%
  7. Emissions & leaks4.9%
  8. Steering3.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened18.5%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm17.5%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine16.1%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded14.3%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.9%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: parking brake performance: inoperative on one side. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Citroen C5?

In 2024, 58.4% of 2003 Citroen C5 cars passed their MOT first time, across 286 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Citroen C5?

The most common failure reasons were parking brake performance: inoperative on one side; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; service brake performance: excessively binding. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 Citroen C5 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 102, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).