Used car guide

2001 Citroen C5 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Citroen C5 first registered in 2001 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 189 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 189 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

189MOTs of 2001 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
56%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 60%)
6,200typical miles a year
42%had suspension flagged

Common 2001 Citroen C5 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2001 Citroen C5 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    42% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    39% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    38% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    30% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Tyres
    29% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    16% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2001 Citroen C5 diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Citroen C5?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Citroen C5 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023–Too new for MOT data
2022242Tyres 21%
20211,959Tyres 28%
202015,367Tyres 29%
201919,556Tyres 29%
2018–Too few tests
2016304Tyres 23%
2015556Tyres 26%
2014695Suspension 28%
20131,051Tyres 29%
20121,090Suspension 39%
20111,727Suspension 39%
20103,535Suspension 41%
20095,321Suspension 42%
20083,583Suspension 44%
20071,278Suspension 44%
20061,298Brakes 41%
2005903Brakes 42%
20041,112Lights and electrics 42%
2003951Brakes 46%
2002726Brakes 42%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Citroen C5 cars first registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score