At a Glance
The Citroen C5 Mk1 has 18 identified problems that occur more often than the UK average, with Number plate lamp not working being the most reported. Electrical is the most common MOT failure category. Based on 487K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on this model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we calculate MOT pass rates and problems →
Below: the full MOT-data picture for the Citroen C5 Mk1 — MOT pass rate vs the UK average, common problems vs UK fleet patterns, the most likely MOT failures by frequency, fault occurrence by mileage band, and pass/fail trends. All numbers drawn from DVSA records.
Citroen C5 Mk1 MOT Pass Rate
Across 487K MOT tests from DVSA data, the Citroen C5 Mk1 (2001–2008) has a fail rate of 40.0%.
UK average fail rate (2006–2008): 37.6%
Common Citroen C5 Mk1 Problems
Owner-submitted reports plus patterns we've identified across 559 million UK MOT tests. Each MOT-derived item below — whether tagged as a Problem, Wear & Tear or Consumable — shows up noticeably more often on this generation than across the UK fleet, which is why it's here. Owner reports are pinned to the top by default; use the sort and filter pills below to view a specific tier or change the order.
Number plate lamp not working
28,775
occurrences
Brake performance below minimum
26,050
occurrences
Front lamp not working
21,425
occurrences
Suspension unit fault
12,638
occurrences
Headlamp defect (aim check required on retest)
12,537
occurrences
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Citroen C5 Mk1 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Citroen C5 Mk1 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
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Problems by mileage
Common problems, MOT failures and advisories on the Citroen C5 Mk1, grouped by the mileage they typically appear at.
662 distinct problems · 855,030 total occurrences in current filter
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Advisory items are MOT tester observations. Frequency can be influenced by driving style and usage patterns.
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Other Citroen C5 Generations
Mk1
2001–2008
30 problems
Current page
Mk2
2008–2019
5 problems
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Citroen C5 Mk1 problems?
Based on DVSA MOT data for the Citroen C5 Mk1 (2001–2008), we have identified 18 common problems. The most frequently reported is "Number plate lamp not working". Electrical is the most common MOT failure category.
How reliable is the Citroen C5 Mk1?
This generation has 487K MOT tests on record with a 40.0% fail rate. A fault is flagged as a "Common Problem" only when it occurs significantly more often on this model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence.
What commonly fails the MOT on a Citroen C5 Mk1?
There are 194 distinct MOT failure types recorded for the Mk1 (2001–2008), grouped by the mileage these failures typically occur. See the Common MOT Failures section on this page.
Can I report a problem with my Citroen C5 Mk1?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Citroen C5 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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