2005 Citroen Relay — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,252 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Citroen Relay, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 66.8% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 37.5% in the 150k+ group versus 26.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 19.8% | 645 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 17.2% | 559 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.2% | 495 |
| 4 | Brakes | 14.2% | 462 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.8% | 252 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.9% | 126 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 972 |
| 2 | Chassis condition | 384 |
| 3 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 363 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 244 |
| 5 | Wipers | 223 |
| 6 | Joints | 212 |
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 | 32.8% | 1,067 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.7% | 997 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 27.5% | 895 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.2% | 624 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 17.1% | 555 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.7% | 509 |
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 | 64 | 26.6% |
| 30-60k | 326 | 23.3% |
| 60-90k | 750 | 30.3% |
| 90-120k | 849 | 34.6% |
| 120-150k | 704 | 36.2% |
| 150k+ | 552 | 37.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 836 | 31.3% |
| 2022 | 739 | 33.8% |
| 2023 | 640 | 34.2% |
| 2024 | 556 | 34.0% |
| 2025 | 481 | 33.3% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Relay
Before buying a 2005 Citroen Relay, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 19.8% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (19.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (17.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (15.2% 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 2005 Citroen Relays pass their MOT?
66.8% of the 3,252 2005 Citroen Relay MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Citroen Relay?
Suspension, recorded in 19.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (17.2%).
Does the 2005 Relay get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.6% in the 0-30k band to 37.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,252 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.