At a Glance
The Citroen Relay has 61 identified common problems across 3 generations, with the Mk2 (2006-2025) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 829K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Citroen Relay common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Citroen Relay generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Citroen Relay Generations
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Most Common Citroen Relay MOT Failures
Every reason Citroen Relay vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake performance below minimum | 8.21% |
| 2 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 7.29% |
| 3 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 6.13% |
| 4 | Stop lamp not working | 4.95% |
| 5 | Driveshaft fault | 4.61% |
| 6 | Windscreen washer not working | 4.38% |
| 7 | Number plate lamp not working | 4.35% |
| 8 | Headlamp aim defect | 3.69% |
| 9 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 3.68% |
| 10 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 3.28% |
| 11 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.21% |
| 12 | Tyre condition | 3.11% |
| 13 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 3.06% |
| 14 | Exhaust system fault | 2.85% |
| 15 | Front lamp not working | 2.24% |
| 16 | Suspension mounting corroded | 2.16% |
| 17 | Track rod end worn | 1.97% |
| 18 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.72% |
| 19 | Chassis condition | 1.72% |
| 20 | Rear lamp not working | 1.62% |
| 21 | Body corrosion or damage | 1.62% |
| 22 | Horn not working | 1.34% |
| 23 | Indicator fault | 1.32% |
| 24 | Headlamp fault | 1.29% |
| 25 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.29% |
| 26 | Fog lamp not working | 1.24% |
| 27 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.09% |
| 28 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.09% |
| 29 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.95% |
| 30 | Front suspension fault | 0.91% |
| 31 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.86% |
| 32 | Seat belt condition | 0.79% |
| 33 | Position lamp not working | 0.77% |
| 34 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.69% |
| 35 | Parking brake condition | 0.66% |
| 36 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.64% |
| 37 | Rear suspension fault | 0.46% |
| 38 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.41% |
| 39 | ABS fault | 0.41% |
| 40 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.37% |
| 41 | Steering rack fault | 0.35% |
| 42 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.32% |
| 43 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.32% |
| 44 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.32% |
| 45 | Airbag warning light on | 0.31% |
| 46 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.29% |
| 47 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | 0.26% |
| 48 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.25% |
| 49 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.24% |
| 50 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.22% |
| 51 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.22% |
| 52 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.22% |
| 53 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.20% |
| 54 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.19% |
| 55 | Brake pedal fault | 0.18% |
| 56 | Electrical switch fault | 0.18% |
| 57 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.18% |
| 58 | Engine oil leak | 0.18% |
| 59 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.17% |
| 60 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.16% |
| 61 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.12% |
| 62 | Brake fluid leak | 0.12% |
| 63 | Brake lever fault | 0.12% |
| 64 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.11% |
| 65 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.11% |
| 66 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.09% |
| 67 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.08% |
| 68 | Outline marker lamp not working | 0.08% |
| 69 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.08% |
| 70 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.08% |
| 71 | Spare wheel fault | 0.07% |
| 72 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.07% |
| 73 | Body security fault | 0.06% |
| 74 | Steering operation fault | 0.06% |
| 75 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.06% |
| 76 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.06% |
| 77 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.06% |
| 78 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.05% |
| 79 | Brake caliper fault | 0.05% |
| 80 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.05% |
| 81 | Propshaft fault | 0.04% |
| 82 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.04% |
| 83 | Front passenger door fault | 0.04% |
| 84 | Steering free play excessive | 0.04% |
| 85 | Steering coupling worn | 0.04% |
| 86 | Towbar fault | 0.04% |
| 87 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | 0.04% |
| 88 | Load sensing valve fault | 0.03% |
| 89 | Suspension unit fault | 0.03% |
| 90 | Steering column fault | 0.03% |
| 91 | Driver seat fault | 0.03% |
| 92 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.03% |
| 93 | Exhaust leak | 0.03% |
| 94 | Steering arm worn | 0.03% |
| 95 | CV joint worn | 0.03% |
| 96 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.03% |
| 97 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.03% |
| 98 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.02% |
| 99 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | 0.02% |
| 100 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 101 | Steering lock fault | 0.02% |
| 102 | Passenger seat fault | 0.02% |
| 103 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | 0.02% |
| 104 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.02% |
| 105 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.02% |
| 106 | Mirror or camera fault | 0.02% |
| 107 | Loading door damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 108 | Power steering pump fault | 0.02% |
| 109 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 110 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.02% |
| 111 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 112 | Drag link end worn | 0.02% |
| 113 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | 0.02% |
| 114 | Driver door fault | 0.02% |
| 115 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 116 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 117 | Anchor bracket corroded | 0.01% |
| 118 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.01% |
| 119 | Driver airbag fault | 0.01% |
| 120 | Brake linkage mounting fault | 0.01% |
| 121 | Body strengthening plate corroded | 0.01% |
| 122 | Speedometer fault | 0.01% |
| 123 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 127 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 131 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 135 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 137 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 138 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 139 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 140 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 142 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 143 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 147 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 150 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 152 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 153 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 154 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 156 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 157 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 161 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 162 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 163 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 164 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 166 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Spring saddle corroded | <0.01% |
| 172 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 174 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 177 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 178 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 179 | Leaf spring slipper worn | <0.01% |
| 180 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 181 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 182 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 183 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 184 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 185 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 186 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 187 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 188 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 189 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 190 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 191 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 192 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 193 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 194 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 195 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 196 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 197 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 198 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 199 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 200 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 201 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 202 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 202 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Citroen Relay MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Citroen Relay, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Citroen Relay problems?
Based on analysis of 829K Citroen Relay MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 61 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Number plate lamp not working". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Citroen Relay generation has the most problems?
The Citroen Relay Mk2 (2006-2025) (2006–2025) has the highest number of identified common problems (61). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Citroen Relay?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Citroen Relay owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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