MERCEDES CITAN Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 376 MOT tests from 42 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every MERCEDES CITAN has the same fault.

MERCEDES CITAN's have a very good reliability rating of 605/999. The score was calculated from the average of every MERCEDES CITAN 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.

MERCEDES CITAN (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Diesel	2020	779/999Very good	90,659 miles	626 vehicles
Diesel	2018	617/999Good	87,533 miles	1,927 vehicles
Diesel	2017	596/999Above average	87,710 miles	2,452 vehicles
Diesel	2014	553/999Above average	87,435 miles	2,257 vehicles
Diesel	2013	479/999Average	86,899 miles	519 vehicles

How reliable is the MERCEDES CITAN?

Based on 376 MOT tests from 42 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

MOT tests

376

Pass rate

72.3%

Median mileage

112,595 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every MERCEDES CITAN has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 623 out of 999.

Common MERCEDES CITAN 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 71 advisory comments and 12 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: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 28 advisory comments and 10 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 brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 34 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR BRAKE PIPE CORRODED, COVERED IN GREASE OR OTHER MATERIAL (1.1.11 (C))

Track rod wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 21 advisory comments and 7 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 play or damage at a track rod or track rod end.

What to inspect

Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TRACK ROD END BALL JOINT HAS SLIGHT PLAY (2.1.3 (B) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 20 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: OFFSIDE FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 13 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 FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Windscreen damage

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 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 FRONT WINDSCREEN WIPER DOES NOT CLEAR THE WINDSCREEN EFFECTIVELY (3.4 (B) (II))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 6 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 an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.2.2 (G))

MERCEDES CITAN 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
2018	6	48	70.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017	8	81	67.9%	Brake disc wear, Tyre wear
2016	7	79	70.9%	Corrosion, Brake pad wear
2015	7	83	72.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear

What to check when buying a used MERCEDES CITAN

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 pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Track rod wear. Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.
Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Buying a MERCEDES CITAN?

Common problems tell you what can affect MERCEDES CITANs 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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