2010 Citroen C5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 9,012 MOT tests analysed for the 2010 Citroen C5, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 73.1% was below the average for cars of a similar age (77.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 29.6% in the 150k+ group versus 10.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.5% | 1,400 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.2% | 1,006 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.4% | 938 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.3% | 563 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.1% | 549 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.3% | 474 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 1,063 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 670 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 603 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 463 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 444 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 391 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 30.3% | 2,735 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.5% | 2,566 |
| 3 | Brakes | 24.9% | 2,241 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 14.6% | 1,316 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.4% | 1,206 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.8% | 794 |
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 | 55 | 10.9% |
| 30-60k | 508 | 14.4% |
| 60-90k | 1,763 | 23.8% |
| 90-120k | 2,983 | 27.3% |
| 120-150k | 2,183 | 30.2% |
| 150k+ | 1,518 | 29.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 8,896 | 26.9% |
| Petrol | 116 | 25.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,335 | 26.1% |
| 2022 | 2,109 | 27.0% |
| 2023 | 1,839 | 26.8% |
| 2024 | 1,511 | 27.4% |
| 2025 | 1,218 | 28.0% |
What to check before buying a 2010 C5
Before buying a 2010 Citroen C5, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 15.5% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (15.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.2% 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 (10.4% 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 C5s pass their MOT?
73.1% of the 9,012 2010 Citroen C5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Citroen C5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.5% of tests, followed by suspension (11.2%).
Does the 2010 C5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.9% in the 0-30k band to 29.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,012 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.