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Citroen C5 reliability by build year

Coverage 2004-20172 named generationsHatchbackDIESEL / PETROL / HYBRID ELECTRIC
At a glance

Citroen C5 built around 2020: about average at the MOT

Citroen C5 models built around 2020 fail their MOT a little more often than similar cars the same age.

Check a Citroen C5 by number plate

Key figure

17% of MOT tests on Citroen C5 models built around 2020 ended in a fail (retests included), against 12% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Citroen C5 models built around 2020 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Citroen C5's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Lighting

Worth checking

Inspect the lighting carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your C5's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

C5 Mk2

Mk2 (2008-2017)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROLHYBRID ELECTRICDIESEL

26.2% fail rate, built around 2016 (9 years old)

Likely between 20.4% and 32.9%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 20.8%)

From 187 MOT tests at this ageView details →
C5 Mk1 (facelift)

Mk1 (facelift) (2004-2007)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROLDIESEL

30.6% fail rate, built around 2007 (18 years old)

Likely between 26.2% and 35.4%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.3%)

From 382 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROLHYBRID ELECTRICDIESEL
1,092 MOT tests across all agesNo separate page

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Citroen C5.

See every build year for the Citroen C5

Side-by-side

Citroen C5 generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk2 (2008-2017)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate26.2%likely between 20.4% and 32.9%built around 2016 (9 years old)from 187 MOT tests at this age
Mk1 (facelift) (2004-2007)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate30.6%likely between 26.2% and 35.4%built around 2007 (18 years old)from 382 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the C5, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Citroen C5 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Citroen C5 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
27211.4%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
3,59813.4%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
7,16816.6%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
3,99017.3%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
18726.2%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
25924.3%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
37926.4%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
41929.1%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
56929.7%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
88730.6%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
1,65432.4%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
1,62134.7%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
76732.2%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
38230.6%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
35730.5%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
28827.8%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
37832.8%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
22531.1%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
18631.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 16 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 5-year-old Citroen C5 models

These issues come from 5-year-old Citroen C5 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    22.2%
    Advisory: 2,474Fail: 236 (9% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    16.5%
    Advisory: 1,359Fail: 268 (16% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    11.4%
    Advisory: 1,104Fail: 13 (1% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Minor

    One of the number plate lights not working

    9.1%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    9.0%
    Advisory: 867Fail: 154 (15% of the times it was found)

Based on 7,168 MOT tests on 5-year-old Citroen C5 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 5-year-old Citroen C5 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres43%
  2. Lighting + Tyres25%
  3. Brakes + Lighting22%
  4. Other + Tyres15%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 2,023 MOT tests on Citroen C5 cars built around 2020 (5 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Citroen C5.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

24 recalls in all

22 of the 24 Citroen C5 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 20 more

Top concerns

  • Airbag may incorrectly deploy
  • Fuel may leak onto engine
  • Starter supply wire may chafe

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Mazda 2

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.8%
    Dangerous
    3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.2%

    Lower fail rate: 9.6%, against 16.6% for the Citroen C5, both built around 2020.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    5,812 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  2. 2

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    Lower fail rate: 10.7%, against 16.6% for the Citroen C5, both built around 2020.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    44,857 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  3. 3

    BMW i3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.7%
    Dangerous
    3.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    86.5%

    Lower fail rate: 10.3%, against 16.6% for the Citroen C5, both built around 2020.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    4,569 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  4. 4

    Hyundai IONIQ

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.2%
    Dangerous
    3.9%

    Lower fail rate: 11.6%, against 16.6% for the Citroen C5, both built around 2020.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    9,189 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2020 (5 years old), the Citroen C5 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 7,168 5-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Citroen C5 ever sold: 23,586 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2020 (5 years old): 7,168 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.