2010 Citroen C2 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,065 MOT tests analysed for the 2010 Citroen C2, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 69.6% was below the average for cars of a similar age (77.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 37.5% in the 150k+ group versus 23.0% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.6% | 342 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.0% | 330 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.1% | 230 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.4% | 174 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.1% | 167 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.7% | 118 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 168 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 164 |
| 3 | Washers | 108 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 107 |
| 5 | Wipers | 100 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 98 |
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 | 29.3% | 604 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.1% | 581 |
| 3 | Brakes | 26.0% | 537 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 16.5% | 341 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 282 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.4% | 276 |
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 | 87 | 23.0% |
| 30-60k | 464 | 24.3% |
| 60-90k | 958 | 31.9% |
| 90-120k | 439 | 34.6% |
| 120-150k | 77 | 28.6% |
| 150k+ | 40 | 37.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,724 | 30.3% |
| Diesel | 341 | 30.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 490 | 28.0% |
| 2022 | 470 | 30.9% |
| 2023 | 431 | 32.5% |
| 2024 | 372 | 30.4% |
| 2025 | 302 | 30.8% |
What to check before buying a 2010 C2
Before buying a 2010 Citroen C2, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 16.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (16.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.0% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.1% 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 2010 Citroen C2s pass their MOT?
69.6% of the 2,065 2010 Citroen C2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Citroen C2?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.6% of tests, followed by suspension (16.0%).
Does the 2010 C2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.0% in the 0-30k band to 37.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,065 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.