Most Reliable Citroen Models: Real MOT Data Analysis
We analysed 1,028,111 real UK MOT tests to reveal which Citroen models pass most often, which years to buy, and which to avoid entirely.
1,028,111 MOT tests analysed
Real DVSA data covering every Citroen model from 2000-2023
Key Findings
Most Reliable Model
Citroen SPACETOURER
77.3% pass rate
Best Single Year
C1 2014 Petrol
76.4% pass rate
Citroen vs National Average
63.1% vs 71.5%
-8.4% below average
Proven Durability Champion
C1 2012
+4.8% at 11-12 years
Citroen has built its reputation on reliability, but does the data back it up? We analysed 1,028,111 real MOT tests from the DVSA database to find out exactly which Citroen models live up to the hype and which ones fall short.
This isn't survey data or owner opinions. These are actual pass/fail results from UK garages, covering every Citroen model sold in the UK from 2000 to 2023.
How Citroen Compares to Rivals
Citroen ranks #61 out of 75 manufacturers with a 63.1% average MOT pass rate. That's below the national average of 71.5%:
| Manufacturer | Pass Rate | Rank | Tests Analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford | 68.5% | #51 | 4,432,652 |
| Fiat | 68.3% | #52 | 780,941 |
| Peugeot | 66.1% | #58 | 1,428,753 |
| Vauxhall | 65.4% | #59 | 3,038,498 |
| Citroen | 63.1% | #61 | 1,028,111 |
| Renault | 61.8% | #66 | 1,009,899 |
The verdict: Ford maintains a lead among competitors, while Citroen sits at #61. However, newer Citroen models significantly outperform this average.
Best Citroen Models by MOT Pass Rate
Looking at overall reliability across all years, here's how Citroen's core models rank against the 71.5% national average:
| Model | Pass Rate | vs National (71.5%) | Tests | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPACETOURER | 77.3% | +5.8% | 2,508 | 2017-2020 |
| C5 | 73.0% | +1.5% | 21,288 | 2002-2020 |
| C1 | 70.8% | -0.8% | 168,334 | 2005-2020 |
| C3 | 67.5% | -4.0% | 228,390 | 2002-2021 |
| C4 | 63.8% | -7.8% | 183,548 | 2005-2020 |
| RELAY | 63.2% | -8.3% | 13,489 | 2001-2019 |
| DS5 | 61.8% | -9.8% | 4,234 | 2012-2015 |
| DISPATCH | 58.7% | -12.8% | 46,924 | 2001-2020 |
| BERLINGO | 58.4% | -13.1% | 186,803 | 2000-2021 |
| DS4 | 57.3% | -14.3% | 10,574 | 2011-2015 |
Proven Durability Champions: Which Citroen Models Age Best?
These Citroen models have proven their durability with 11+ years of real-world MOT data. They're compared against the national average for cars of the same age:
High-confidence data: Only vehicles with 11+ years of MOT history and 500+ tests are included in this ranking.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | 2012 | Petrol | +4.8% | 11-12 years | 67.6% |
| C1 | 2010 | Petrol | +4.6% | 13+ years | 61.9% |
| C5 | 2011 | Diesel | +2.4% | 11-12 years | 65.2% |
| C1 | 2011 | Petrol | +1.9% | 11-12 years | 64.7% |
| C1 | 2010 | Petrol | +1.7% | 11-12 years | 64.5% |
| C1 | 2009 | Petrol | +1.5% | 13+ years | 58.8% |
| C5 | 2007 | Diesel | +0.0% | 13+ years | 57.3% |
How to read this: A score of "+15%" means the model passes MOTs 15 percentage points more often than the average car of the same age. These are proven results from vehicles that have genuinely aged well.
Early Performers: Strong Start, Unproven Durability
These newer Citroen models (3-6 years old) show strong early results, but haven't yet proven long-term durability:
Important caveat: Durability NOT yet proven - these vehicles have not been tested at older ages. Older versions of the same model may tell a different story at 11+ years.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C3 | 2020 | Petrol | +4.7% | 3-4 years | 90.5% |
| C1 | 2019 | Petrol | +3.3% | 3-4 years | 89.1% |
| C3 AIRCROSS | 2019 | Petrol | +2.5% | 3-4 years | 88.4% |
| C3 | 2019 | Petrol | +2.4% | 3-4 years | 88.2% |
| C1 | 2018 | Petrol | +1.4% | 5-6 years | 82.6% |
| C1 | 2017 | Petrol | +1.3% | 5-6 years | 82.5% |
| C1 | 2018 | Petrol | +0.9% | 3-4 years | 86.7% |
| C3 | 2018 | Petrol | +0.2% | 3-4 years | 86.1% |
What this means: These models are performing well in their early years, but we recommend checking the Durability Champions section above to see how older versions of the same model family have fared over time.
Citroen C3: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The C3 has 228,390 tests in our database with an overall 67.5% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Petrol | 96.5% | +5.6% | 339 |
| 2020 | Petrol | 90.6% | +2.9% | 12,167 |
| 2020 | Diesel | 85.5% | -2.1% | 435 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 88.3% | +2.1% | 22,417 |
| 2019 | Diesel | 82.2% | -4.0% | 1,017 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 84.3% | +0.0% | 22,999 |
| 2018 | Diesel | 82.8% | -1.4% | 2,199 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 80.1% | -1.6% | 15,947 |
| 2017 | Diesel | 74.1% | -7.5% | 3,851 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 74.7% | -4.0% | 6,432 |
| 2016 | Diesel | 70.4% | -8.3% | 4,553 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 71.7% | -3.8% | 6,612 |
| ... | ||||
| 2012 | Petrol | 59.2% | -6.4% | 7,008 |
| 2012 | Diesel | 54.7% | -10.9% | 8,630 |
| 2011 | Petrol | 56.1% | -6.9% | 6,020 |
C3 verdict: The 2021 petrol model achieves an excellent 96.5% pass rate. Avoid the 2012 petrol (59.2%).
Avoid early C3 models
The 2012 petrol C3 has a 59.2% pass rate, failing MOTs more often than passing.
Citroen BERLINGO: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The BERLINGO has 186,803 tests in our database with an overall 58.4% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Diesel | 74.2% | -16.7% | 240 |
| 2020 | Petrol | 78.2% | -9.5% | 197 |
| 2020 | Diesel | 71.6% | -16.1% | 12,411 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 80.0% | -6.2% | 966 |
| 2019 | Diesel | 70.6% | -15.6% | 14,913 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 79.5% | -4.7% | 718 |
| 2018 | Diesel | 64.2% | -20.1% | 13,624 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 77.5% | -4.2% | 409 |
| 2017 | Diesel | 62.2% | -19.4% | 13,576 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 77.8% | -0.9% | 117 |
| 2016 | Diesel | 61.2% | -17.5% | 14,720 |
| 2015 | Diesel | 57.9% | -17.6% | 15,550 |
| ... | ||||
| 2015 | Diesel | 57.9% | -17.6% | 15,550 |
| 2014 | Diesel | 55.5% | -16.2% | 14,883 |
| 2013 | Diesel | 55.3% | -13.0% | 12,981 |
BERLINGO verdict: Avoid the 2015 diesel (57.9%).
Avoid early BERLINGO models
The 2015 diesel BERLINGO has a 57.9% pass rate, failing MOTs more often than passing.
Citroen C4: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The C4 has 183,548 tests in our database with an overall 63.8% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Petrol | 87.9% | +0.2% | 2,370 |
| 2020 | Diesel | 84.2% | -3.5% | 1,118 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 83.0% | -3.2% | 6,045 |
| 2019 | Diesel | 81.3% | -4.9% | 2,856 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 78.0% | -6.2% | 5,936 |
| 2018 | Diesel | 77.9% | -6.3% | 6,609 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 74.5% | -7.2% | 5,475 |
| 2017 | Diesel | 72.8% | -8.9% | 11,470 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 70.3% | -8.3% | 6,787 |
| 2016 | Diesel | 68.5% | -10.2% | 19,646 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 68.1% | -7.4% | 5,320 |
| 2015 | Diesel | 65.5% | -10.0% | 23,858 |
| ... | ||||
| 2013 | Diesel | 57.0% | -11.3% | 11,939 |
| 2012 | Diesel | 56.3% | -9.3% | 7,870 |
| 2011 | Petrol | 56.5% | -6.5% | 935 |
C4 verdict: Avoid the 2013 diesel (57.0%).
Avoid early C4 models
The 2013 diesel C4 has a 57.0% pass rate, failing MOTs more often than passing.
Citroen C1: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The C1 has 168,334 tests in our database with an overall 70.8% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Petrol | 91.6% | +4.0% | 3,578 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 89.2% | +3.0% | 5,275 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 85.4% | +1.1% | 7,225 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 82.5% | +0.8% | 9,190 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 79.9% | +1.2% | 18,237 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 78.1% | +2.6% | 18,002 |
| 2014 | Petrol | 76.4% | +4.7% | 13,658 |
| 2013 | Petrol | 72.4% | +4.1% | 14,110 |
| 2012 | Petrol | 69.1% | +3.5% | 14,013 |
| 2011 | Petrol | 64.7% | +1.7% | 14,054 |
| 2010 | Petrol | 63.5% | +3.0% | 13,325 |
| 2010 | Diesel | 60.0% | -0.5% | 110 |
| ... | ||||
| 2009 | Petrol | 58.8% | -0.2% | 11,984 |
| 2009 | Diesel | 54.3% | -4.7% | 427 |
| 2008 | Diesel | 55.6% | -1.8% | 162 |
C1 verdict: The 2020 petrol model achieves an excellent 91.6% pass rate. Avoid the 2009 petrol (58.8%).
Avoid early C1 models
The 2009 petrol C1 has a 58.8% pass rate, failing MOTs more often than passing.
Citroen Hybrids vs Petrol vs Diesel
Citroen's fuel type comparison shows clear differences in reliability:
| Fuel Type | Average Pass Rate | vs National | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Electric | 89.5% | +18.0% | 190 |
| Petrol | 68.2% | -3.3% | 458,376 |
| Plug-in Hybrid | 63.0% | -8.5% | 338 |
| Diesel | 58.8% | -12.7% | 557,318 |
The hybrid advantage: Citroen hybrids pass MOTs 21% more often than petrols and 31% more often than diesels.
Citroen Models to Avoid
Not all Citroens are reliable. These specific model/year combinations have failure rates well above average:
| Model | Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DISPATCH | 2015 | Diesel | 52.8% (-24.4% vs same-age) | 4,275 |
| DISPATCH | 2016 | Diesel | 56.9% (-23.0% vs same-age) | 3,732 |
| DS3 | 2015 | Diesel | 54.0% (-23.2% vs same-age) | 4,059 |
| BERLINGO | 2018 | Diesel | 63.4% (-21.4% vs same-age) | 12,843 |
| BERLINGO | 2017 | Diesel | 61.0% (-21.1% vs same-age) | 12,444 |
| DS3 | 2014 | Diesel | 51.1% (-23.4% vs same-age) | 8,972 |
| DS3 | 2013 | Diesel | 48.8% (-22.4% vs same-age) | 8,755 |
| NEMO | 2016 | Diesel | 59.3% (-20.4% vs same-age) | 1,079 |
| DISPATCH | 2014 | Diesel | 52.4% (-22.2% vs same-age) | 3,444 |
| DS3 | 2012 | Diesel | 46.9% (-22.0% vs same-age) | 7,715 |
Pattern to avoid
Early 2014-2016 diesel DISPATCHs, 2012-2015 diesel DS3s, 2017-2018 diesel BERLINGOs are the models that drag down Citroen's average. The DS3 2012 performs 17% worse than the average car of the same age at 11-12 years - this is proven poor durability. These vehicles fail MOTs more often than they pass.
What Goes Wrong on Citroens?
When Citroens fail MOTs, these are the most common causes:
| Failure Category | Total Failures |
|---|---|
| 1. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 183,000 |
| 2. Suspension | 106,304 |
| 3. Brakes | 82,736 |
| 4. Body, chassis, structure | 79,156 |
| 5. Tyres | 72,863 |
| 6. Visibility | 66,959 |
| 7. Noise, emissions and leaks | 36,743 |
Pre-MOT checklist for Citroen owners:
- Check all bulbs (number plate lights are commonly missed)
- Inspect suspension bushes and anti-roll bar links
- Check brake pad thickness and disc condition
- Ensure tyres meet 1.6mm tread requirement
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Buying Recommendations
Best If Buying Nearly New
2019-2023 models with highest early pass rates
- C1 2020 Petrol: 92% pass rate
- C3 FLAIR + PURETECH S/S AUTO 2020 Petrol: 92% pass rate
- C3 2020 Petrol: 91% pass rate
- C3 FLAIR + PURETECH S/S 2020 Petrol: 91% pass rate
Note: Long-term durability not yet proven for these newer models
Best If Buying Used (Proven)
11+ years of proven durability data
- Limited proven durability data available
Citroen Models to Avoid (Proven Poor)
Proven below average at 11+ years - not just old, genuinely problematic
- DS3 2010-2012: -16% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 11-12 years)
- DISPATCH 2010-2012: -14% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 11-12 years)
- GRAND C4 PICASSO 2010-2011: -14% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 11-12 years)
- C4 2010: -13% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 11-12 years)
About This Data
This analysis uses real MOT test results from the DVSA database, covering 1,028,111 tests on Citroen vehicles between 2000 and 2023.
Year-Adjusted Scoring (v2.1): In year-by-year breakdowns, each vehicle is compared against the national average for vehicles of the same model year. This removes the natural bias where newer cars pass more often, allowing fair comparisons across eras.
Evidence-Tiered Durability: We separate "proven durability" (vehicles tested at 11+ years old) from "early performers" (3-6 years old). Only vehicles with proven long-term data are used for durability claims. Age-band comparisons use weighted national averages.
Minimum thresholds: 500 tests for proven durability rankings, 1,000 tests for early performer rankings. Pass rates are calculated as first-time passes, excluding retests.
The overall national average MOT pass rate is 71.51% based on 32.3 million tests across all manufacturers. Year-specific averages range from ~59% (2009 vehicles) to ~88% (2020 vehicles).
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