2001 Citroen C15 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 456 MOT tests analysed for the 2001 Citroen C15, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 66.5% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 41.7% in the 120-150k group versus 21.8% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 24.3% | 111 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.1% | 69 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.9% | 68 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.7% | 67 |
| 5 | Visibility | 10.5% | 48 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.4% | 20 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 73 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 52 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 45 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 41 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 40 |
| 6 | Joints | 37 |
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 | 24.1% | 110 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.3% | 106 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.7% | 90 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.4% | 84 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 10.3% | 47 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.2% | 42 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 55 | 21.8% |
| 60-90k | 129 | 31.8% |
| 90-120k | 186 | 36.0% |
| 120-150k | 36 | 41.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 114 | 32.5% |
| 2022 | 108 | 33.3% |
| 2023 | 82 | 34.2% |
| 2024 | 75 | 32.0% |
| 2025 | 77 | 36.4% |
What to check before buying a 2001 C15
Before buying a 2001 Citroen C15, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 24.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (24.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (15.1% 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.
- Suspension (14.9% 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.
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 C15s pass their MOT?
66.5% of the 456 2001 Citroen C15 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Citroen C15?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 24.3% of tests, followed by brakes (15.1%).
Does the 2001 C15 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.8% in the 30-60k band to 41.7% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 456 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.