CITROEN C5 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 686 MOT tests from 44 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every CITROEN C5 has the same fault.

CITROEN C5's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 508/999. The score was calculated from the average of every CITROEN C5 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the CITROEN C5.

CITROEN C5 (example)

Check a Citroen C5 before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

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Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	558/999Above average	91,579 miles	930 vehicles
N/A	N/A	530/999Above average	94,730 miles	740 vehicles
N/A	N/A	529/999Above average	90,472 miles	2,175 vehicles
N/A	N/A	511/999Above average	84,318 miles	749 vehicles
N/A	N/A	494/999Average	89,677 miles	3,001 vehicles
N/A	N/A	492/999Average	84,954 miles	1,155 vehicles
N/A	N/A	475/999Average	91,445 miles	2,117 vehicles
N/A	N/A	474/999Average	84,098 miles	1,553 vehicles

How reliable is the CITROEN C5?

Based on 686 MOT tests from 44 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

MOT tests

686

Pass rate

75.5%

Median mileage

97,248 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every CITROEN C5 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 599 out of 999.

Common CITROEN C5 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 124 advisory comments and 22 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 77 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 18 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Registration plate condition

VehicleScore MOT data includes 11 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a number plate that was deteriorated, insecure, or did not meet the plate rules.

What to inspect

Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

Example MOT wording: FRONT REGISTRATION PLATE DETERIORATED BUT NOT LIKELY TO BE MISREAD (0.1 (B))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 9 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR INNER POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Headlamp faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 8 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a headlamp that was not working, insecure, or aimed incorrectly.

What to inspect

Switch on dipped and main beam and look for a cloudy lens or a wrong aim.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE HEADLAMP NOT WORKING ON DIPPED BEAM (4.1.1 (A) (II))

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore MOT data includes 3 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE WINDSCREEN WIPER DOES NOT CLEAR THE WINDSCREEN EFFECTIVELY (8.2.2)

CITROEN C5 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2013	5	72	76.4%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2010	6	115	68.7%	Brake disc wear, Tyre wear
2009	9	157	79%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2008	6	112	82.1%	Brake disc wear, Brake pad wear

What to check when buying a used CITROEN C5

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Registration plate condition. Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Headlamp faults. Switch on dipped and main beam and look for a cloudy lens or a wrong aim.
Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Buying a CITROEN C5?

Common problems tell you what can affect CITROEN C5s generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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